Last year The Narrator and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. It passed without major fanfare. With a nursing baby and the fact that we moved 1200 miles from our families, getting away was a bit difficult. Add to that – at the time we were in the midst of snowballing our debt and building an emergency fund. Not a good equation for a romantic getaway. In fact, we didn’t even get out to dinner by ourselves. The night of our anniversary, we took the kids to a favorite mexican restaurant and had a family meal. As we joined hands to pray for the food, The Narrator made a wise comment that set the tone for the evening. Rather than us feeling sorry for ourselves that we couldn’t get out by ourselves, he said, “You know, this is what we signed up for when we said ‘I do’ ten years ago, and it’s kind of appropriate that we are celebrating together as a family. Each year together isn’t just about the two of us, it’s now about the four of us.” I smiled at the man I married, falling even more in love with him at that very second.
We enjoyed a very messy, loud meal, but we were together, and it was nice. We didn’t think too much more about not getting out for our anniversary.
Fast forward to just a few weeks ago. For some reason, I was thinking about Sanibel and Captiva Islands. We only live a few hours away, and I’ve heard great reviews about the beaches and resorts and shelling on the islands. It’s one of those one-tank trips that makes you feel like you really get away, even though it’s only a few hours drive. I told The Narrator that I’ve always wanted to get down there and how nice it would be to work in a quick trip in sometime.
My Mom has been wanting to come visit for a week in June (our anniversary month), and after chatting with her on the phone this morning, I felt a very strong prompting to get online and look for tickets for her. I discovered there was a sale on tickets that were a good deal and the sale ended today. I called her back and let her know what I found and we discussed a few dates. She said she’d talk to my Dad tonight and get back with me.
About an hour after I had found that airline sale, The Narrator sent me an email with details about a co-workers wedding we have been invited to. On Captiva Island. On our anniversary.
I called my mom back and asked her to look at her calendar again to see if we could shift the dates of her potential trip slightly so she could be here the week over our anniversary so we could go to this wedding and have a mini-getaway. She said that week actually worked better for her schedule.
A couple hours later she sent an email with her itinerary. I’m couldn’t be more excited. It’s going to be a really nice sunset wedding, in a really nice resort, and the thought of getting all dressed up on our anniversary to go to a wedding and just have a nice evening with other adult friends…I’m giddy. And I need a new dress!
As I look over the details, I feel like this is provision from God for being patient, for not pushing for something that would have put us in a bind a year ago, and that we hadn’t really earned. Now a year later, situations have changed and this whole thing fell into our lap when we weren’t expecting it. Thank you, thank you, thank you God, and thank you Dad for letting Mom come down to visit!!
Our 25th was last August, and we were in the same boat – tight finances since my layoff in 2006, and trying to pay off debts. We had dinner and a movie, but nothing big. The following Sunday, our worship leader called Vicki down from the sound board at our pre-service practice, and presented us with a gift certificate from the worship team for our 25th, for a few nights at our all-time favorite B&B. (The Shack, near White Cloud) Once again, God provides in ways we can’t imagine! 😀
Our 8th anniversary blew by as “just another day”, which is exactly how both of us wanted it. Same story you told about building the emergency fund rather than squandering it and paying the price later on. Are you going to sew a new dress or splurge and buy one? Or do you want to borrow? That’s always a frugal and fun option too? Love the stories of God’s provision and people’s generosity.
Cal, I remember hearing about your trip last fall. I’ve heard many times how nice the Shack is. What a neat story about friends providing your getaway making it that much more meaningful! Thanks for sharing!
Jenna, I’ve been debating what to do about a dress. With my new machine, I’ve been itching to really test my skills, and I think this would be a good project! I think I might splurge by making a simple dress but using fabrics I don’t normally work with like a silk or chiffon or charmeuse. I’ve found a great place online to buy quality fabric at really good prices. Oh, the options!!
aloha from hawaii…found you through scribbit…
Needed to read this about the 10th anniversary. Ours is coming up Fourth of July…living so far from family, and I have high expectations. But this post gave me great pause.
Aloha! Thanks for stopping by! Congrats on your upcoming anniversary, what a great milestone! I hope that no matter what you do on your special day that it will be just that – special for you both!