And You Thought the Mushy Stuff was Done

For our 10 year anniversary I had visions of traipsing across exotic beaches, hiking desolate mountains, discovering obscure artists in unknown villages, bonding with indigenous people & learning their trades while stocking up on unheard of treasures in South America or Africa... or at the very least stuffing ourselves silly on a cruise. But alas, that was not to be. Perhaps for 15 or 20 years, right??

BUT we were lucky enough to have my mother in law in town to watch the kids while we took a 3 day vacation to San Luis Obispo. If you haven't been to that town, it is incredible. Seriously full of all sorts of creativity & inspiration. It is about 4 hours north of us, so we just took a couple of days to ourselves to drive up there slowly & stop in all things thrift stores, beaches, good food, bed & breakfasts & hanging out. Again, it is amazing how wonderfully in love we can be without little guys distracting us. Just free to embrace it. Originally we thought it would be nice & cheesy & humorous to challenge ourselves to be touching the entire anniversary & we did pretty well for the 1st 2 hours... until we had to get out of the car. Out the window with that.

Look at the Monk Seals. Those aren't rocks. Do you see the little babies next to their mamas? It's the birthing season & one was born while we were there watching completely oblivious. Do you see the 2 fighting real small in the back of this picture?

The famous bubble gum alley in SLO. Ick. Really I am not licking it, I swear.

And originally I had hoped to give Ben a present of writing 1 thing I have learned from him each year we have been married, but alas it was not completed in time. So here it is now 3 weeks later...

2002- Riding a motorcycle really is a feeling like nothing else. And the boy needs to surf.

2003- You can find good things in others' trash .

2004- You can skateboard to work in busy, downtown Chicago.

2005- You can make anything.

2006- No matter how bad the funk, fresh air always helps.

2007- He really loves me faults & all.

2008- Sometimes you may not like your partner, but that doesn't mean anything. You still love them.

2009- He will stand by & support me unconditionally.

2010- I need him every day. I don't do well on my own anymore.

2011- You can fall in love all over again after 10 years. Really he is in it for the long haul.