Anniversary Getaway – 23 Years! ❤

Grant & I enjoyed a few nights away in Madison recently to celebrate our anniversary. We’re grateful to our kids who graciously handled things at home & let us have the time away. ❤ Things definitely do change when you have older kids. 😊

Dinner @ Rare Steakhouse – one of our favorites! We had never eaten in the bar area, so tried it this time (we wanted to go early & the dining room wasn’t open yet). We’ve never been disappointed with anything there! Good service, great food, I highly recommend it! (It is pricey, but a nice splurge for our anniversary!)

Ahi Tuna Poke – I had never tried it & had been wanting to, so this seemed a good time! The white thing at the top of the picture is fried rice paper! Fascinating & it was all so delicious!

I ran across something I had written & shared 3 years ago when we hit 20 years. I’d like to share it again! I don’t have all the answers, but God is good! I’m sure there’s a lot more that could be added….

“So…. yesterday we celebrated our 20 year anniversary! WOW!

20 years. From our dewey eyed courthouse elopement on a Monday morning… fast forward… 5th anniversary spent separated with baby #3 & Grant injured in Germany (after being medivaced out of Iraq). 10th anniversary we had a wonderful renewal of vows ceremony where Dad was able to walk me down the aisle. (When we eloped, we wanted to do this for our 5th anniversary, but we’re thankful that it happened for our 10th).

We have been through our fair share of trials (or more than, to be honest!) There have been some HARD times. But, our commitment to God & to our marriage has carried us through & kept us clinging desperately to God.

I’m so thankful for this man who is living life with me. I’m thankful for the good, & yes, for the hard. Without the hard, we would not be who we are. God is good. He is faithful. And He loves us more than we can imagine.

In a nutshell, the most important marriage advice I’ve learned over the past 20 years:

GRACE – extend it. Live it. Give it abundantly. It’s been so important to us we named our youngest as a reminder of the GRACE God gives us.
Keep short accounts.
Every day is a NEW day with a FRESH start.
*Communication… work on it. It truly is important. 😀
*LAUGH together.

I cannot tell you how much this has done for us. Sometimes you just need to let go of the past. Even if the past was yesterday. 🥰”

I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite pictures from the past 23 years….