For my birthday this year, Jeff decided to go big. While my birthday is at the end of September, he told me that he had something big planned but we wouldn't be celebrating until mid-October. I love surprises so I was stoked. I told him to tell me only what I absolutely needed to know and that's all.
And he followed that rule.
All I knew was that I needed to take a Friday off from work (so a weekend thing) and that the temps would be low to mid 60s during the day, low 40s at night.
I honestly didn't know and really couldn't even speculate where we were going until we rolled up HERE:
Ridgecrest is a retreat/conference center where the Festival of Marriage is held each year, during the fall season (among other things throughout the year). Our church is a big proponent of this event but Jeff and I have never been able to go. He decided to change that this year.
That man of mine...I love him.
This is how the plan rolled out (and keep in mind, all of this is news to me as it's happening. ALL.OF.IT.): we, the 3 of us, left our house Thursday after work and drove to my parents' house in Lexington to stay overnight. Jeff told me right before we got there that we'd be staying overnight and that we -- he and I -- would be continuing on tomorrow, leaving Deacon with my parents.
I was super-excited about that for numerous reasons, not the least of which was that it looked like we were getting away together for the weekend. Suh-weet! It pretty much didn't matter at that point where were going. :)
We headed out Friday morning around 9am to...well, I still didn't know, of course. I was loving this! We traveled further into mountainous regions over the next couple of hours and it just kept getting better and better. I know I commented at least once to Jeff that it didn't matter where we were going, that this scenery we were traveling through, with all the gorgeous fall foliage, made me so happy. :)
We stopped in a small town called Black Mountain for lunch and to do a little shopping around the quaint little town square. Jeff had heard that there were a few pottery shops there and he knows how I love pottery. The thought he put into this birthday gift, whatever it was turning into, was becoming more evident. And making me feel so special.
It was nice to get out and stretch our legs. It was a beautiful sunny day -- just cool enough to keep from getting warm, but not cold enough to have to wear a coat/jacket. We ate at the Black Mountain Ale House and both of our meals were delicious. The pub was actually underground. Very cool!
After hitting a few shops before and after lunch, Jeff said we needed to get back on the road. Little did I know that we were only going a few miles up the road. I soon found out what he had planned.
We had a great time! It was so wonderful to be away with my man, in a gorgeous part of NC, with picture perfect weather the entire time. We met new people who were there doing the same thing we were and there's such a connection in that. The breakout sessions we went to had great information and the group sessions with worship and messages from our keynote speakers were wonderful, too. It was so refreshing -- a welcome change of scenery, literally and figuratively.
During the weekend, we had a span of about 5 hours of free time, and we chose to spend that time driving around the area (well, after our nap :). We went and drove around on the Blue Ridge Parkway...
And on the way back to Ridgecrest, we drove through a little place called Montreat (apparently, Billy Graham has a place there, which I didn't know about until later on)...
We headed home Sunday morning after our last group session, stopping to see a few sights...
...and then on to Lexington to get Deacon. My parents had a blast with him all weekend. I'm so thankful they had an opportunity to spend that time with him. The whole weekend was fantastic -- for us and for them!
Thank you, babe, for making my birthday this year so very special. You are the best, and I love how you love me.
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