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Today, my beloved French husband, Vincent, and I celebrate 24 years of marriage.
It takes me back to fond memories of my beginning days in his tiny village in the north of France. I was only 19-years-old at the time. You can read my story here.
I originally met his older brother in a café . . . just a few days after I stepped foot on French soil. Everyday, I would walk or bike by the local bar hoping to meet some new friends. Vincent’s brother was often sitting in the sun at the corner counter—reading the newspaper.
One day, we greeted each other, and he invited me out dancing that next Friday. He made the mistake of bringing his little brother, Vincent.
We fell in love that evening when he waltzed up to me in a cool, purple blazer, jeans, long, blonde, slick-backed hair, glasses, and a bottle of champagne in his hands.
We were married four years later in the 11th-century stone church of this same picturesque village, in the presence of more than 500 witnesses from around the world.
24 Years Later . . .
Our union remains strong today—24 years later—four boys later, 4 countries later.
We have had violent storms of life and calm, peaceful days. By God’s grace, our marriage still stands. We still stand.
Today, we celebrate our wedding anniversary in quarantine in Spain—stuck in the same 4 walls with our 4 sons.
We can’t go out to a fancy restaurant. We can’t order Chinese take out. We can’t go for a drive in the car. We can’t go hiking in the woods.
Creativity is in high demand these days—for birthdays, for anniversaries, for day-to-day living.
Let’s Take a Trip!
My idea is to invite my husband on a virtual anniversary trip this evening.
Last year, I wrote about “Travel Dreams.” In that story, I shared my own, personal travel dreams. On my list are the places that I hope to still see one day . . . the foreign lands I still desire to step foot on . . . the people, the cultures, the languages, the foods I still long to experience.
Just because I’m trapped in the four walls of my house, just because there’s tension in the air, just because the schools are closed, just because we spent spring break “at home,” just because I feel trapped, just because I have to sneak out my gate, just because my dog is my only legal reason to take a walk, just because . . .
DOESN’T MEAN I CAN’T FULFILL MY DREAMS!
DOESN’T MEAN I CAN’T FULFILL MY TRAVEL DREAMS!
Download Your Free “Travel Dream” Planning Tool!
Download Your Free “Travel Dream” Planning Tool!
Top on My List
Top on my travel dream list is Cinque Terre, Italy. It’s one of my favorite places in the world.
When I went there hiking at the age of 20, I was a solo traveler. Solo traveling is awesome! However, I love Cinque Terre so much that I would love to experience it again with my favorite person in the world—my husband!
Yes, it’s top on my travel dream list. Yes, even today, with everything that is happening in Italy with COVID-19, it’s still top on my travel dream list.
So, for our virtual anniversary trip, I decided to start at the top of my list.
Cinque Terre, Italy—here we come!
Virtual Travel
I found a travel video on YouTube by Rick Steves, famous travel writer and host of “Rick Steves’ Europe,” a travel series on public television.
The video is 24 minutes long—perfect! Not too long, not too short.
Originally, my travel dream was exclusively for my husband and I (No kids allowed!). As a result, I had planned to kick my kids out of the living room. (I can’t exactly kick them out of the house during lockdown!) However, I’ve decided to invite them along tonight on our anniversary trip.
I plan to pour my husband and I a glass of wine, curl up together on the couch, and travel to Cinque Terre, Italy.
It will be the cheapest trip—EVER.
It will be the shortest flight—EVER.
It will be the most relaxing travel experience—EVER.
It will be the easiest travel planning—EVER.
Who Says?
Who says that I can’t fulfill my dreams today?
Who says that I can’t fulfill my travel dreams today?
Yes, even while stuck in these four walls, I can still travel the world!
Nothing is stopping me!
What’s stopping you?
Come Along With Us!
Whether it’s your wedding anniversary today, your birthday, or just another same ‘ole, boring day in quarantine in your part of the world . . .
Come along on a virtual trip with us to Cinque Terre, Italy! Yes, it’s our wedding anniversary, but the more the merrier!
Download Your Free “Travel Dream” Planning Tool!
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—”THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
LET’S WEAVE CULTURES!
Have you had to find creative ways to celebrate special occasions during quarantine—birthdays, anniversaries, etc.? If so, what unique ideas have you come up with? Have you considered and tried virtual travel?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures”! Write about them in the comment box below.
