…you never get a deal on an anniversary getaway. Today’s my third anniversary of marrying the Big Guy.

On our first anniversary, we went back to the site of our wedding night lovefest, the Hotel Monaco in Chicago. Yes, for all of you who wanted to crash our wedding night, this is where we stayed.  Just in case you get lonely while staying there, the staff gives you your very own goldfish to keep you company.

The day after our wedding, we found our fish dead, floating belly-up in his bowl. No, he didn’t die from the things he witnessed. He was in the other room.

The fish on our first anniversary fared better. He might still be there. Our first anniversary also included diamond stud earrings that we still share, writer’s journals, and a fantastic Italian supper at Coco Pazzo. Mmmmm…

On our second anniversary we decided to play it low-key and re-create one of the fabulous meals we had in Italy, when we took cooking lessons at Rosa dei Venti (and if you’re ever traveling in Tuscany, this  is the most romantic villa you will ever find). The Big Guy loves to cook much more than I do, and my enthusiasm for creating the five-course meal waned around course three. Joe finished up on his own while I chopped things and helped drink the last bottle of Tuscan red that we bought in Montepulciano.

Three years ago we truly did start a new life together, one that has already had more twists and turns than I ever saw coming. I’ve escaped from Corporate Hell, we’ve made a success of several new business including my dream career with Pearl Writing Services, the Big Guy has become a ministry director, we’ve graduated one teenager and pray for the other, we’ve traveled the world, and we’ve welcomed a score of new Dueas, Williamses, Finchams and Tarrs into the family. Everything is better when we do it together.

We’ll find some way to celebrate tonight, and whatever we do will express this simple idea: no one has ever loved the way we love each other.