5 years ago, today, I was strolling through Oahu's Polynesian Cultural Center with my new husband. It was our honeymoon in Hawaii. We were spending time together, on the beautiful island. It was a gray, rainy day, but warm and our hearts were light and full. I remember holding hands with him, talking with him, sharing the sights and sounds with him. Stealing kisses in quiet corners. Having that little smile plastered to my face all day long, a smile telling of all the little secrets I knew about him. All the loving touches we shared, the time we had to just focus on each other. I remember the love that flowed through us, as breath does, from me into him.....from him into me.

This weekend, Jeremy and I celebrated 5 years of marriage and commitment to each other by escaping away again......this time, to Victoria, Canada. We dropped Derick off with my parents (God Bless them!), and took the clipper out of the country. We were warned, it would be crowded. It would be lots of waiting through customs. It might be better to just drive. But, you know, none of that really mattered to me. I was alone, with my lover. I could stand in line behind the impatient guy who couldn't stop making phone calls and not be bothered. I could watch with peace as the elderly woman was escorted onboard before us. I could just walk orderly and hold hands with my sweetie while others rushed past us to get the best seats. Once on board, we sat quietly, and cuddled. We talked. We snacked. We read. We just watched.

Once in Victoria, we checked into our hotel and then went in search of dinner. We found a Spaghetti factory just down the street and headed in. The wait was long so we decided to eat outside. It was warm enough with the heaters above us. We watched the cars go by, ate wonderful comfort food, and listened to the crosswalk beep 100 or more times. But, it didn't matter: no one was crying, no one was chasing little feet, no one's meal got cold while attending to another's. Back to the hotel to put up our feet and veg out in front of the TV. Soft sheets, soft robes, soft dreams.......

Saturday we slept in. Ahhhhhhhh. Up and dressed by 10:30, we went in search of a little food before seeing the sights. We found a coffee shop and stopped for a quick bite. Then, we spent three hours exploring the Victoria BC Museum. The exhibits were wonderful, so very interesting! We watched an Imax film about Dinosaurs and walked through the Old Town-1920's, hand in hand. Then, we visited the inner harbor marina, Parliament buildings, and the Empress Hotel. At $50 a person for tea, we decided to just visit the outside this time around. After enjoying a hot dog and a rest (and some great people watching, too) we heading uptown into the shopping district. Lots of fun shops and pubs lined the streets. Both Jeremy and I found that it felt more like Vancouver than Victoria here. All walks of human life were there, the bums asking for change, the high fashion men and women with bags in hand, the teenagers with braces and giggling faces. We stopped to rest our feet again (well, really mine) and watched a seaplane land in the harbor. We talked about friends, family, the little life stirring inside me, and our little man back at home. We re-connected quickly. It's amazing how that happens with little or no distractions!

We headed back to the hotel for an afternoon rest before our Seafood Dinner Feast. After a check in with home, we were sad to learn that Derick was having a hard time. We think he was mommy sick, mostly. It was hard to hear him crying for us, but I knew he was in good hands. I learned that he was quickly distracted after the phone call and all was better again. So, we headed out to a seafood restaurant called Pescatore's. Jeremy had salmon with a mango salsa and I had salmon wellington. YUM! After dinner we walked the marina, took pictures of the buildings all lit up, and watched a street performer. Then we headed back to the hotel for more Jeremy and Jill time. It was a beautiful day!

I highly recommend all couples allow themselves some couple time. Esp those with kids. I love my family, and I wouldn't change it for the world. But this weekend was a huge reminder to me that my marriage suffers when it's not nurtured, just like the kids. We won't be able to take weekends away like this one all the time, but date nights are a must! Having time to focus on just each other without the house, kid, or work getting in the way was so healing. I am so very happy to be so in love with my partner. I feel lifted up, supported by his love, his touch, his thoughts. While we did exchange gifts (wooden items,for those who are wondering), the biggest gift I received this weekend was him. Thank you, babe, for the wonderful weekend together; I love you!

All my heart, wifey.