And We're Off! {No. 20}

Thus begins a new series of posts that will (hopefully) document a trip Dean and I are taking in celebration of our 20th wedding anniversary.  I say “hopefully” because the last attempt I made at documenting a trip in the blogosphere didn’t quite reach completion.  I still lack 3 days of that trip and that ended almost three years ago.  One thing I did learn from that trip was that any blogging/journaling/sorting through pics I can while I’m physically on the trip and in the moment is a plus.  Because as soon as I return home to all my beloved people and all their beloved needs and demands,  the ole blog gets knocked down about 37 notches on the to-do list.  So I will attempt to record for my own sake whatever I am able while on this trip.  I will file all the posts under the sidebar to the right that says, "No. 20."

The trip begins and ends in London with a few days each in Paris and Northern Ireland sandwiched in.  If you happen to read this in time and wouldn’t mind to pray for our safety, with the crazy behavior being exhibited both in our own country and abroad these days, I would covet those prayers.  We may or may not have [read: absolutely did] revised our will the day before we left.  True story. 

What God allows is always in His best interest for us and He allowed us to end up boarding a plane at the end of six months+ of planning so here we are!  Bring on the arguments over mapping, childless dinners, slow breakfasts and selfies—we are ready. 

Twenty years is a long time to be married, especially when you and your beloved haven’t had the easiest time learning to communicate, conflict and show love to one another.  Some couples have personalities or family history that makes this process a little more organic and smoother than it does for others.  We are:  others.  Very thankful for the Holy Spirit and Godly licensed therapists (not just a mentor or your close pastor friend) who have helped us not just stay married these twenty years but figure more out about our own stories (and what makes us tick) in addition to some of the mystery tools necessary in order to walk out the communicating/conflicting/showing love thing.  Still learning.

So with that, let’s fly away!  Up, up, up we go!!

In the Knoxville airport.  Look how on time and early we were to the gate without our kids there to drag us down!;)

We figured the 20th anniversary was as a good a time as ever to blow the miles for business class.  It didn't help either of us sleep much, but the food and drinks were lovely!  Delta partners with Virgin Atlantic now so you can use Delta miles to book overseas Virgin flights.  You have to look for the flight numbers that start with VS.  Flew Knoxville -- Detroit -- London and it was smooth as silk!

I think I took 15 different pics of the land as we were nearing touch-down in London.  It's so often gray and cloudy as you come in and it was crystal clear today!

Hello, Heathrow!  By the time we boarded our flight, we'd already had two strangers ask us if we were on our honeymoon.  Yes, yes we are.  And here's to happy honeymooning!!