A Hawaiian Second Honeymoon!

Dave and I had the privilege of spending 2 glorious weeks in Hawaii for our 30^th Wedding Anniversary!  Looking back over the years, it has been quite a journey.  Every marriage has its ups and downs, but it seems like few people commit to making it through them any more. Dave and I are truly best friends, and more in love today than we were 30 years ago, simply because we’ve grown a little wiser, endured many hardships, laughed together, cried together, got mad at each, made up (that’s the fun part) and determined from the day of our wedding that we would see it through!  Recently someone asked me what the secret to our marriage was.  I answered,  “For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part.”  We said those words 30 years ago on May 2^nd, and plan to stick by them for the next 30.  It’s not always easy, but it is worth the effort to invest in your marriage.

The man I love!

We have been planning this Happy Hawaii event for over 5 years now, saving, dreaming, talking about it.  And it truly ended up to be everything we imagined and more.  My sweet hubby spent hours researching and putting this trip together to make it extra special.
I’d thought I’d share some of our pics from the trip with you, so you could have just a little taste of our vacation.

The first part of our trip we spent in Kauai and it was a busy week.
  Here are a few of the hightlights:

Finding secret beaches at 6 am in the morning since we couldn't sleep because of the time change.

A trip to the Kilauea lighthouse

 
An ATV ride through a gorgeous Kaui ranch

A Sunset Cruise along the Napali Coast

After a wonderful week in Kauai, we headed off to Lanai, an island we had never visited before.  We weren’t sure what to expect and had had so much fun in Kauai, that we wondered if we should have spent both weeks there.  In getting off the plane, we instantly realized that Lanai is a true paradise on earth.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  We stayed in the Lodge at Koele, which is a Four Seasons Resort.  Talk about being treated like royalty!  When we got to the hotel, they presented us with Hawaiian leis, a warm cloth to wipe our hands and face, and a glass of pineapple orange juice.  It was amazing.  Evidently they knew it was our 30^th Anniversary, because they upgraded us to a room that had the best view over the grounds of any room in the entire place.  The staff was so friendly, and they waited on us hand and foot the entire time we were there.  I am sure it will spoil everyday life for us forever!

View from our room window and lanai

The week in Lanai was spent relaxing more, laying on the beach, or by the pool, and catching up on some reading, although we did do some exploring as well.

Hiking Munro Trail

This is a Jackson's Chameleon that we came across on our way back.

This little cardinal became our daily visitor as we had coffee on the lanai outside our room.

I encourage you to invest in your marriage.  Sometimes it’s hard when you still have children at home, and their demands are pulling you all different directions.  Even in the busyness, plan time for you and your spouse.  Don’t wait.  Too many times I hear that once the kids are gone and couples are now empty nesters, that they don’t have anything in common anymore because they never took the time to invest in one another all along.  Plan that date night regularly, and make your marriage a priority.  It will be an example to your children of your commitment to each other.
It will also be well worth it when you are celebrating your 30 years or more together!

Janna