Hey Friends 🙂
As you may remember, John and I celebrated our 12th Anniversary this weekend. Woo Hoo!
Years ago, our wonderful marriage mentors suggested that John and I take time away once each season to reconnect, enjoy each other’s company, have fun, and relax.
We’ve graciously accepted the challenge!
And whereas we’ve not been perfect at getting away once a season, John and I have been intentional about going on “mini-moons” as often as we can ~ especially to celebrate our Anniversaries!
So this past weekend, we enjoyed a special Anniversary “mini moon” to….(any guesses??)Â

Bay Harbor, MI
….the Inn at Bay Harbor! 🙂
After checking out lots of great ideas, I selected The Inn at Bay Harbor in Northern Michigan. John likes boats, water, relaxing, etc.. I like fancy hotels, fun adventures, and Starbucks. I tried to compromise :).Â
Plus I was also able to get such a screamin’ deal I could hardly resist!
We loved our time at The Inn. Here’s a view from our balcony overlooking Lake Michigan…Â
Notice how calm Lake Michigan is. We left on Sunday in the midst of a big wind storm. Check out the difference 2 days later….
But don’t worry ~ John still was able to see lots of boats before the wind storm (I just didn’t have to ride them across Lake Michigan this year!)Here are a few more snapshots from our time away…Â
John and I have both enjoyed our mini-moons over the past 12 years of marriage! A special thank you to our marriage mentors, Doug and Judie Childress, for giving us the challenge many years ago!
And a HUGE thanks to my parents for watching the 4 kids all weekend, and my inlaws for keeping the dog and sending along yummy snacks ~ bless you!!!!)
What about for you?? What’s the best nuggest of marriage wisdom you’ve received?? I’d love to hear from you!!
Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*. Have a wonderful, joy-filled day!!
P.S. Want to see how awesome my mom is? While I was off “mini-mooning” – look at what my mom was doing at our local pool (that’s my mom on the left, and my Sarah on the right). You see where I get my love for adventure?! Go Mom Go! 🙂
P.P.S. I’m linking up today with Jen and friends at Soli Deo Gloria. Be sure to check out this amazing sisterhood of women!
So glad you enjoyed your anniversary.
Your mom rocks! I saw on fb that she had a sore back the next day. No wonder!
i love get-aways – we got that great advice, too. we saved up and went to the british virgin islands for our 20th in june. so so so good. and you know? these moms taking care of our kids for the mini-moons? training me to be an excellent grandmother!
Stopping by from Jen’s….Happy Anniversary….and I would encourage you to continue to cultivate in big ways but also small ways…my husband and I had a get away this weekend…no TV…cell or internet service….just the two of us…so wonderful…and I am so thankful we enjoy each other more than anything after 31 yrs of marriage. blessings to you and many many more years of celebration together.
Such great pictures! I want to go on mini-moons too! Our kids are really young so it’s been hard, but in a few years we can go away for long weekends and feel confident they will do well.
What a beautiful bride you were! (And still as beautiful 12 years later!)
Love, Linda
looks like because you take the time, you are still in love. that’s great! Happy mini moon.