Whirlwind Anniversary Date

Here we are as we are about to walk out the door Monday morning.

Victoria and the younger children risked losing life in limb in the frigid temps to clean out the van for us before we left.  They wanted to surprise us.  Anytime the van is clean, it is a surprise.

The put up cute signs for us and some cash for a latte!

First stop, Branns on Leonard.  I worked in the bar when Brian and I met, and let’s just say Brian frequented the bar when we met.  This was the place of our first kiss.  Right there in the parking lot.

Here is the apartment I lived in while we dated.  We walked around the streets where we did all those years ago.

Here is our first home.  We LOVED this house.  It had the most beautiful woodwork and hardwood floors.  When we lived there it was painted a barn red with white trim.

Outside the church where we got married.

The long walk up the isle to the man of my dreams.

‘And I give you, Brian and Michelle Grzybowski!”

I love old churches.  Oh, and would you believe as we opened the door to walk out of the church the bells started ringing!  It was so cool.  Just for us.  Well, that, and it was noon, which is apparently when they ring each day.   It was still special, none the less.

From there, I whisked him off to a café that serves Polish food.  The same type of food we had at our wedding.  Fresh Kielbasa, Kapusta, Golbacki, Pierogies, and rye bread.

After lots of thrift shopping and picking up some ‘picnic’ food at GB Russo and Son we ended up at the same hotel we stayed at twenty-four years earlier!  He was so surprised!

I kept him blindfolded until we got to the room. When he opened his eyes he saw rose petals all over the floor and bed.  Candles and signs I had made of favorite quotes from movies that we have loved over the years.  I also had romantic music on my computer for him.  Our wedding song and our renewal of our vows song.  Always, by Atlantic Starr and Still the One, by Shania Twain.  I still bawl when I hear those songs.  I kid you not, I have been in Meijer and Still the One will come on and I will be standing there in the produce section, bawling!

Victoria packed a romantic little picnic basket for us.  It was beautiful.

There you have it.  An epic post on our Anniversary . . . if you are still here.  It was incredibly special and romantic.  We talked about so many memories.  Truly a blessed time.