This past weekend Hodgepodgedad and I celebrated 17 years of marriage! It was a simple celebration spanning a few days. Because celebrating need not be elaborate and doesn’t have to break the bank.
Picnic at the Park. Friday night we went through the Chick-fil-a and the Starbucks drive-thrus. We took our picnic of chicken cool wraps and iced coffees to a local park. The park was already closed because it was close to sunset. So we drove to another part of the park with a walking trail. The weather had turned cooler so we rolled down the windows, enjoying our picnic while listening to the local Christian radio station. We watched alpacas play at the farm across the street. (How many can say that for an anniversary?)
Laugh! We took some silly photos. I laughed so hard I cried. You might be able to tell. (the bottom right photo taken at the beach a couple weeks ago)
Whole-hearted, ready laughter heals, encourages, relaxes anyone within hearing distance. The laughter that springs from love makes wide the space around – gives room for the loved one to enter in. ~ Eugenia Price
Reminisce. Then we drove through the apartment complex we lived in when we first moved back to the south from the west. Finally, we headed home to Nana and the children. Saturday night we watched Pride & Prejudice after the children were tucked in bed. Sunday – our actual anniversary – we all went to church. Middle Girl made a favorite, chocolate chip cake. A simple celebration of seventeen years.
A few more anniversary ideas from past years:
House swap! For our 15th anniversary we swapped houses with Nana. She blessed us with a whole weekend to ourselves. We went and walked around at IKEA, walked some local trails and enjoyed gift cards at local restaurants.
Take a trip to the local gardens. For our 16th anniversary we took a day trip to Callaway Gardens. All that time in the car talking and laughing was wonderful. We enjoyed the beautiful gardens but the getting away was the best part.
Bonus! I love Kendra’s anniversary ideas – She says: “We came up with a system that works very well. We take turns planning the event. I take the odd years and he plans the even years. It can be as simple as dinner and a movie and a night away in a free hotel. Sometimes we make it more elaborate.”
Counting the gifts of marriage…
- date nights
- memories and anniversaries
- talks over coffee before sunrise
- dancing with the dishes
- window love letters
- texts during the day
- friendship spanning almost 20 years now
Counting #4087-4101.
I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. Song of Solomon 6:3
Wonderful ideas keeping the marking of another year simple but meaningful. We have an anniversary coming up and we were just last night trying to decide what to do to celebrate. Thanks for giving me a few more ideas. 🙂
Thanks Barb! I remember that you and your husband went on some type of wonderful nature day trip last year – if I remember correctly. Love that idea.
Oh, sweet memories! Again, Nana scores big time! My Dad comes down and keeps the kids for (one of our two) anniversaries) each year….and we seek some alone time…though, for the past two years, we went to a homeschool convention!
I loved this, Tricia. Our fifteenth anniversary is this July, and we’ve been talking about what to do. Many times, we’re not together on the actual day, but this year we will be! (Tiny aside: I have the same “Welcome” on my foyer wall as Nana has on her front door!)
Thanks Ellen (and I want that ‘welcome’ on my front door. It’s on my list!)
Congratulations on your anniversary! Me and my husband will be celebrating our 11th anniversary in September. I can’t believe how fast time flies! We usually do something super extravagant (like a cruise or vegas or even skydiving)for our anniversary, but I realized (It’s my turn to plan) that this time around we’ll have to find something cheap. Thanks for reminding me that it doesn’t need to be so extravagant and it can still be lots of fun and just as special as long as the two of us are together. Thanks again! You two look amazing together!
Elizabeth – I agree. There are certainly times to be extravagant and times to have some frugal fun. Thanks for your kind words!
And “thank you” both for all the wonderful years…there is NOTHING in this world that blesses me more than the spouses of both of my adult children!
Forever,
N.
Tricia ~ Happy (albeit late) anniversary! We always celebrate our anniversary, too. This year (since it’s 15) we are going to a mountain/lake bed and breakfast in N Georgia and leaving the kids with friends! I can’t wait — just another month away! 🙂
And happy early anniversary to you Mary! Sounds like a wonderful celebration you have planned.