In 2001, HLPE and I were planning our trip to Europe, and we wanted to go to Spain--especially since there was a possible side trip to Morocco--but we just couldn´t fit it in our schedule. We told ourselves it would give us a reason to come back.
In 2004, Adam traveled through Spain and told his friends that he wanted to bring his wife there some day. (This was before we met.)
And now, in 2008, we celebrated our second anniversary...well, actually in Portugal. But, uh, close enough. Also ¨close enough¨is this post, which I meant to post on the actual day (May 7).
Yep, two years for us crazy kids.
Year one was like a dream come true. I think we were both so thrilled to be married that we were walking on clouds for much of it. At least when it came to our relationship with each other.
When I think about year two, the opening credits of MTV´s Real World spring to mind. They flash through pictures of whatever city the house is in that season while the voiceover says ¨find out what happens when people stop being polite...and start getting real...¨and then in the background somebody yells ¨can you shut the door!?¨
Year two has been more of the ¨real world.¨ There´s been more realizing that we´re both imperfect beings in need of grace. More realizing that there are some major, painful issues that we struggle with.
But in that, there´s more understanding of who this person is that we´ve chose to be with. And being more known is one of the parts of marriage that I both want and struggle with.
It´s easy to be in love in Spain (except when we´re driving through Sevilla), but the other times also make up this life, and we´re trying to make our way through it as best we can.
Personal tangent aside, Portugal was lovely. It was supposed to be our vacation from our vacation, but the very lovely lady at the pension where we stayed had a list of place she wanted us to see, and her enthusiasm was contagious--plus, she packed us a lunch. (Also, she left my booty alone, so I appreciate that.)
Side note: We´re staying in a combination of hostels, pensiones, and hotels, and I have to say, I love the homey-ness of the hostels/pensiones. They really try to take care of you, and the thoughtfulness often makes your stay that much better. Some hotels don´t have that much service, and when they do, they charge you for it like crazy.
We drove all over the Algarve coast, visiting what used to be the "edge of the world" before the discovery of America--the farthest point west in Europe, and hitting some remote beaches and hiking some crazy cliffs.
Entering Portugal. You'll have to take my word on this since I was too captivated by the bridge to take a picture of the actual Portugal sign.
Look! It's our anniversary!
The view from our hostel.
My typical view.
Anniversary dinner.
Scenes from our beach hikes.
Self portrait.
Dinner at a beach cafe.
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