Making Every Anniversary Special

When Lynnette and I were getting married, Lynnette had her mind on every aspect of the wedding.  When I asked her about the honeymoon, she said, "Just surprise me."  My reply was "Really?" 

So I set out by using the Internet to pull up places, hotels, rental cars, and events that would be part of our honeymoon experience.  I made a three ring binder and put the planned events of each day in a tab along with pictures, brochures, and possible alternatives, should we run into a roadblock of events. (like an event being closed on a given day or heavy rain for a given event- which has happened more than once in fourteen years)

On our Wedding day we stayed at an airport hotel and Lynnette did not have a clue as to where we were going. 

Keep in mind that Lynnette is a detail reader so I filled a three inch binder full of things to read.  Early the next morning, I went inside the airport and got our boarding passes all the way to our final destination.   Back then you could do that without the person being with you.

Lynnette had no idea where we were going as we landed in Atlanta.  As we walked the hallway looking at each departure gate, I said, "That would be a nice place to go".  Then moved on.  We walked by our gate and I continued to look at each gate.  Finally I turned around and went back to "our" gate to San Francisco/Napa Valley.  I just said, "This would be a great place to go" and sat down in the waiting area.  At that point I handed Lynnette the binder and for the next two hours she poured over each page with a smile and a kiss as we looked at each event for the entire honeymoon.

That was fourteen years ago, last week, and each year since then we trade being in charge of the anniversary.  Last year was Lynnette's turn and this year is mine. 

None of our friends knew the locations or what we are doing so the surprise trip reveal could occur one hour into the anniversary or as much as three hours into the anniversary. 

This year the funds are extremely tight, so I titled the trip, "  Fourteen years and Growing - The Free and Cheap Tour".  Our biggest expense was gas but we saw so many things of nature and destinations which are really inexpensive and was time spent with my bride.

I say all this just to encourage every man to mix up the celebration of your marriage by planning a surprise for your wife.   The three ring binder is a great way to please a spouse who likes plans and details.  If you are the detail person, then the binder can give you peace of mind that it will be a great anniversary. 

This year because of all the rain, we adjusted some days so we could avoid the rain periods.  Nevertheless, this has been a great 14 year adventure and I look forward to the next 14 years of adventures.

Plus I only have to plan seven of them. 

Now go bring back excitement and adventure into your relationship.  The memories WILL last for years and you will have a binder full of those memories to discuss later.