For our first anniversary, Steve surprised me with a Phil Collins Hits CD. I grew up listening to Phil Collins and Genesis and certain songs remind me of when I used to watch MTV music videos for hours on end, and sitting in the car hearing Genesis on the radio and thinking how great it was. Now, I have my very own Phil Collins album and I couldn't be happier. One of my very favorite songs, "A Groovy Kind of Love", sums up my feelings about Steve perfectly and how incredible it is to have someone in my life who loves me so entirely.
A huge reason why this trip was so relaxing was because every morning we woke up to a gorgeous view of Diamond Head from the patio of our hotel room on the 31st floor. What a way to start the day!
For our first night out, Heather and Ryan took us to a sushi place nearby their house. The place was so authentic it brought me right back to Japan and really made our first night in Hawaii all the more meaningful. Heather and Ryan had never eaten sushi before so it was a fun experience to pick and choose what to try and overall it was a success!! The next day we had an adventure day with the Mohrs and were lucky enough to spend some time at Ryan's parent's house - a gorgeous retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.
When I'm feeling blue, all I have to do
Is take a look at you, then I'm not so blue.
When I'm in your arms, nothing seems to matter
My whole world could shatter, I don't care.
Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me, we've got a groovy kind of love.So, we celebrated our very first anniversary on the shores of Oahu and I must say, it was the PERFECT vacation. Celebrating something like love is easy when you're on a Hawaiian island because really all you have to do is look around at the beauty and you'll automatically feel the love. And what made our arrival oh so special was my Heather Bug with baby Harper, greeting us at the airport with a huge sign that said, "I've waited my whole life for you!!", complete with a tall can of Bud for Steve and a mini Champagne for me! Seriously! Can it get any better? I think not! Thank you, Heather for making our first moment in Hawaii so memorable and joyful! You are THE BEST. I'll never ever ever forget that.
A huge reason why this trip was so relaxing was because every morning we woke up to a gorgeous view of Diamond Head from the patio of our hotel room on the 31st floor. What a way to start the day!
For our first night out, Heather and Ryan took us to a sushi place nearby their house. The place was so authentic it brought me right back to Japan and really made our first night in Hawaii all the more meaningful. Heather and Ryan had never eaten sushi before so it was a fun experience to pick and choose what to try and overall it was a success!! The next day we had an adventure day with the Mohrs and were lucky enough to spend some time at Ryan's parent's house - a gorgeous retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.
See the rainbow?
We kayaked to a private little beach to enjoy lunch in the sunshine. Then we lounged, napped, and soaked in the beauty of this place before making our way to a local surf spot to catch some waves...okay so I didn't even go in the water, but Steve did!
Later that evening we had a yummy dinner on the patio and the best part was that it wasn't cold in the least! I love the warmth of Hawaii! Ryan made us the best Pina coladas ever which we enjoyed with some chocolate covered strawberries and hot tubbing! Absolute heaven!
For our actual anniversary on May 22nd, I made a special reservation at The Top of the Waikiki, a restaurant that rotates 360 degrees every hour, giving each person an entire view of Waikiki beach and its surroundings. The scenery was spectacular and we timed it just right so that we could see the sunset from high above the beaches.
Hawaii overflows with jaw-dropping scenery. And Ryan and Heather are the best guides because they've scoped out the most gorgeous places to just sit and BE. Besides gazing into the ocean, the rest of the trip consisted of smooching little Harper, watching The Bachelorette with my best buddy (what a rare treat!), Yogurt Land, beach time and swimming with H and H, a tearful baby trip to Costco (poor Harper!), jet skiing!!, a quiet morning walk along the Waikiki shores, a tour of the Foster Botanical Garden, and finally our last meal at Duke's.
The calm before the storm...on the way to Costco!
Palm lover
Cannonball Tree!
So small next to the giant buttress roots.
My favorite, the rainbow tree. (And Heather, there was a bubble gum tree!! The brochure mentioned it, but we never saw it!)
Thank you Ryan and Heather (and Harper!) for making our visit one of the BEST vacations ever. You were such lovely hosts and it was so neat seeing you both with Harper. I still can't wrap my brain around it :) He is so lucky to have you!! Miss you already!
So much fun! I can't tell what you loved more: the scenery, the cutest baby ever, or the foliage! No, wait... I know what you loved best: celebrating the end of an epic first year of marriage with Steve! Congratulations you two!
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