Tuesday, September 14, 2010

We interrupt this program ...

Greetings !!

I know we are in the throws of "all things Fall," however, I just wanted to take a moment to share a little adventure that I went on this summer. 

Admittedly, I am be-YOND petrified when it comes to flying ... we're talking a paralyzing fear!  I've flown quite a few times in the past, but ever since 9/11 (I worked in Washington, DC at the time, just a few miles from the Pentagon), I've been scared to death at even the *thought* of stepping onto a plane.  Some of our fun friends decided it was time for an "adults only" trip (a/k/a no.kiddos.allowed!).  While I was praying it was to a place close where we could travel to by car, alas, it wasn't!  They decided that Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) was the destination!  I immediately said "you guys have fun" ... however, my husband and determined friends wouldn't accept no for an answer!  They wore me down, and wore me down and wore.me.down, until I relented and agreed to go (of course, not without a prescription for Xanax)!  Even though I felt sick and couldn't sleep for several days before we left (and also sad since I was leaving my son for the first time), I'm sooooo glad that I faced my fear of flying because I had the time of my life!

A few weeks before we left, my sweet husband asked if I'd renew our wedding vows on our trip since it was around the same time as our 15th wedding anniversary!  I cried ... and, of course, happily agreed to marry him all over again!

Off we went.  Punta Cana is a such a beautiful place!  We were greeted by an airport filled with tropical huts: (click on any picture to enlarge)


We immediately warned our shuttle escort, Eduardo, that we were a crazy bunch from South Carolina.  He and his co-workers were amused:


The resort where we stayed (Majestic Elegance Club) was beautiful !! 


Here we are, shortly after arriving at the resort .. one of the gals in our group embellished and *bedazzled* fun T-shirts for all the ladies to wear, saying "PC or Bust!" LOL


Our rooms were beautiful:


As was the view:


The food?  Well, let's just say it was "okay."  For example, this tiny, itty bitty thing is what they consider a chicken wing.  Ummmm ... needless to say, I pretty much stuck to bread our entire trip.


There were gorgeous pools everywhere! Of course, we usually found ourselves at the one with the swim up bar.  Here are the fellas with their "Bubba" mugs that kept their drinks nice and cold:


We loved getting dressed up to go out at night and often split up tables between guys and girls.  This way, the guys could talk all things sports *yawn,* while us gals could talk shopping and all things fun!


The day of our renewal was gorgeous !!  It took place at 5:00 p.m., on the beach at our resort.  Another couple in our gang also renewed their vows (and, ironically, their anniversary date is the same day as ours)!  What a special day it was. 

Our great friend and neighbor, Tony, "officiated" for us since it wasn't a legal ceremony.  (Look.at.that.ocean!)


My honey reading his sweet vows:


... placing a beautiful anniversary "bling" on my right hand:


... and sealing it with a smooch:



I love how John's shirt seems to match the ocean in this shot:


The palm trees were gorgeous:


Here is one of my faves ... the infamous jumping pic!  What fun!
 

After the ceremony, we all went to dinner to celebrate, but not before stopping by the beautiful gazebo to see if my husband could still get down on one knee.  Yay, he could:


Annnnd, of course, I simply *had* to convince the girls to take a funny "goddess-pose" picture:


The trip flew by too fast ... MUCH too fast!

Again, I'm so thankful to my family and friends for encouraging me to face my fear of flying.  If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to take such a beautiful walk with my honey after renewing our vows ... the beginning of our next chapter together:


Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming ... so, as you're decorating your beautiful home for Fall, I'm curious to know what fear have you faced lately?
I'm linking up with Tuesday Morning's Chatting at the Sky

Thanks for stopping by,

23 comments:

  1. GORGEOUS PICTURES!!!! My hubby and I are planning to get "remarried" for our 10th and we want a beach wedding. We wanted one the first go round but my parents wouldn't go for it...and since they footed the bill...well, you know...Your pictures totally make me want to go to the Dominican Republic to do it! :) Maybe I can convince the hubs...hehe!

    Thanks for sharing and good job overcoming your fear of flying. I'd say it was well worth it!

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  2. How much fun was that!!! What an awesome trip!

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  3. The resort looks BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love a swim up bar! Thanks for visiting me. It was 60 this morning so I'm in a little more of a fall mood now.

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  4. That is so beautiul, Becca! What great pictures, too. I hope you have them all framed and around your house {those beach shots are just fantastic}! Congrats on your anniversary. I can sympathize with the fear of flying ~ I had it before 9/11 and then it did get worse {and I had to fly in October that year when my FIL passed away}. I also have to take something before I can get on a plane, otherwise they'd have to knock me out!

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  5. Not only are the pics gorgeous but you guys are Gorgeous too! What a beautiful ceremony and it is always so worth it to face our fears and realize what we would have missed out on. I have LOTS of fears that I pray through and feel like I am finally getting to a point where they are more fleeting vs. paralyzing! Its a good place to be! :-)
    Vanessa
    http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com

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  6. Oh Becca Sweetie...
    Thank you for taking me away. What a great time. I could hear the surf and feel the breeze blowing through my hair. The sand felt so warm on my feet and I loved the feel between my toes.

    You made a beautiful bride for a second time. The photo of you all jumping is my favorite. Now what a wonderful time you all had. I loved the hotel room. Great anniversary celebration. Congrats sweet friend.

    Now what is the deal with the food though? Like you said, stick to bread, at least it filled you up. That was a piece of chicken wing? I bet the guys lost weight, or else you all bought an awful lot to fill them up.

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful trip with me. I so enjoyed tagging along today.

    Many hugs and much love, Sherry

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  7. Gorgeous pictures, Becca!! Your whole vacation sounds like a dream {except your fear of flying}. I'd love to get away with friends! The scenery is beautiful and you had such a *posh* room!! And you made a beautiful bride!! Fabulous post!

    xoxo
    Janie

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  8. YAY! I'm so glad you got over your fear of flying. Memories that will last a life time, for sure!

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  9. Ooooh another post from you AND what a beautiful one it is too. That is so sweet that your hubby wanted to renew your vows, I asked my hubby that once and he said "why do we need to"? Some men just don't get it - glad yours does ;-)

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  10. Wow...now that was worth the flight ;) In your neck of the woods there is a wonderful old church south of Charleston and north of Beaufort...Sheldon Church...perhaps you have heard of it ;) Anyhow...we have always talked about wanting to renew our vows there and we are coming up on our 15th. You have inspired us to really think that it is possible...thanks so much for sharing. Fondly, Roberta

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  11. What fun and you were beautiful for your second wedding day. My daughter has to take zanax too to fly. Scared to death after 9-11, but never was before. She said is isn't that, but I think it is because before that she loved to fly.

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  12. What a BEAUTIFUL vacation and you make a GORGEOUS bride!!! I have been EVERYWHERE and the last 10 or 11 yrs I am just scared to DEATH to fly. I hate it. And two and a half years ago we brought our boys to Disney and I had to fly without xanax because I was pregnant! I was just like you, couldn't sleep, so nervous! But the day of I was ok! Thank GOD! I did lots of praying!
    Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures and what a GREAT time! :)
    Kristi

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  13. Roberta, thank you for your kind note! I'm not sure of the church you are speaking of; however, we LOVE Charleston! It's so charming and historical there. I'm glad I could inspire you to renew your vows with your husband! It's so worth it. Have a great day, Becca

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  14. So nice to be in touch again. Thanks for stopping by. Been a while but trying to get back to blogging.
    What can I say about your gorgeous pics? Breathtaking. You looked beautiful. So sweet that your hubby would think to renew your vows. You are blessed.

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  15. I just found your blog from Debbiedo's and now I'm a follower.
    Love your vacation pictures so beautiful and what a sweet man you have for thinking of renewing your vows!
    We are going to Jamaica in March of 2011, I can't wait:)
    Love your decorating and I'm sure we have the same disorder!

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  16. Awe this is such a wonderful story! How fun, I'm so glad you faced your fears and did it! You looked gorgeous for your vow renewal!

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  17. Hi Becca! Oh, what a lovely story. You are so beautiful and what a gorgeous place to renew your wedding vows! Love all the gorgeous smiling faces and I know this will become one of your most favorite memories! Sorry you have fear of flying. My husband used to be so fearful his palms would sweat and he'd be so nervous. But we kept flying and now he does fine! It was a good thing you faced your fear and went for it!
    Thanks for becoming a follower of my blog and I've just become your newest follower.
    Be a sweetie and I hope you'll come to my party next month the Heart of the Home Party and show off your kitchen.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  18. Girl.... you look stunning!!!!!!!! What a wonderful trip and to have all your friends there too. That had to be just about perfect!! That is some nice bling you got there sister!! We will celebrate our 16th anniversary this January. I can't wait! We need to go away also. We have never been away from Jemma. He goes all the time with work and I was gone from her for 3 nights this past March for the first time ever, but we have never been away from her the both of us. We need to do it, but I just hate to!!! I could be lured with a trip like that though!!! What a wonderful time and great memories. Those pictures are fabulous!! Did you have a photographer do them?

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  19. How wonderful! Ya'll look so happy...and beautiful! I am glad to hear you overcame your fear...sure looks worth it!

    Enjoy!
    Cathy

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  20. WOW!! What a fun trip and so romantic! Congrat's on 15 years! We were going to renew on our 10 year but well that didn't happen. I'm hoping for our 15 year we can jet off to the islands!
    XO
    Kristin

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  21. Looks like such an amazing time!! Congrats!

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  22. Becca, I retired after 30 yrs with American Airlines. The events of 9/11 are etched in my memory forever. I have not enjoyed flying since that fateful day, however, I admire you for going on this incredible trip! You look fab, as usual, and Punta Cana is one dynamic resort area. I'm so glad you had a great time. We do have to force ourselves at times to overcome a fear and you did it! Thanks for sharing all the fun with us ~

    xo
    Pat

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  23. How did I miss this post? Becca, look at you, you sexy hot mama!! YOU ARE GORGEOUS!!! I love your dress, and what fabulous photographs. What a sweet hubby you have to ask you to renew your vows. I renewed mine on my 15 year anniversary. What a gorgeous and memorable trip. See you conquered your fear. =) Thanks for sharing with us....what a special time. XO ~Liz

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I appreciate your comments!