One Decade Down

Last week, we celebrated our ten year anniversary. One whole decade under our belts.

Some good friends of ours from college invited us on a trip to the Caribbean to celebrate. We happened to get married within a few days of each other and we went on a tropical escape with them when we hit our five year anniversary mark. We made grand plans for our ten year anniversary at the time, but after moving to opposite ends of the country and having four collective babies in the last five years, we didn't know if our schemes would quite pan out.

Our friends got the ball rolling last fall and we knew we would have the best time if we accepted their invitation. We went back and forth for months on whether or not we could make all of the logistics work out. We finally decided to go for it only two months in advance after redeeming some accumulated airline miles, expediting an expired passport replacement and lining up childcare.

I was so mired down by all the details I was leaving behind until we walked along the corridor to our gate at the airport it gradually hit me:

There was no one clinging to my legs.

There was no carry-on full of toys and snacks and no heavy stroller to lug around.

There was no one to keep quiet and napped and fed and dry.

The realization that we were all by ourselves as we closed in on the gate started to give me a little spring in my step.

Of course, I knew I'd miss those interruptions soon enough, but right then? I was in Heaven.

The week continued with that same spirit. We had the best time. We were so isolated from our lives back home with no internet or cell phone access. We appreciated every ounce of freedom.

Troy and Nathan picked right back where they left off in their conversations about marginal utilities, real estate values and corporate perks and policies.

Two peas in a pod, those two. We reflected on how far they've come in their careers since all of their dreaming and scheming back in Accounting 200.

And also rolled our eyes quite a bit.

Along with some great conversations, laughing till we cried and daily rounds of our favorite games, we visited some breathtaking places.

While we were in the U.S. Virgin Islands, we took a ferry from St. Thomas to St. John.

Once we arrived in St. John, we headed straight to Trunk Bay.

The sky was dark and stormy but you would hardly know it with how clear that water was.

We headed out in the bath temperature water with some snorkel gear.

It's funny how each area of the sea can look so different. 

Once we got back to shore, we spotted a stingray through the crystal clear water.  

We frolicked around for a bit before we had to get back on the ferry.

And caught once last glimpse of that gorgeous beach below.

We spent another afternoon in Dominican Republic and rented paddle boards to maneuver around the oceanside cabanas.

We watched a few thunderstorms roll in over the sea. Huge cracks of lightning in multiple areas at the same time and booming thunder rippling off the rainforest mountains. It was definitely a highlight; I love thunderstorms.

Our favorite activity was learning how to surf in Puerto Rico.

After four hours in the waves, we were battered, bruised and sunburned. We were sore for days but thanks to Juanito, we finally learned how to surf.

The beach in San Juan wasn't an eye sore either.

After the ocean sufficiently threw us around, we walked around Old San Juan.

We caught a quick glimpse of the colorful streets and historical sites.

We weren't quite ready to take on the reality that awaited us back at home, but we felt refreshed and so grateful to escape for a week.

One decade down; bring on the next.