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| Sunset on Sanibel Photo by Eric Huebner |
Sometimes we are faced with difficult decisions.
Two weeks ago, after a month and a half of no travel or flying because of my back problems, I got the go ahead to fly again. I had intended to go to a writer's conference. Not thinking I would get the go ahead, I didn't really prepare for it. When the doctor said, "travel was okay" - 3 days before the conference - I was very sad. But God had His mighty hand in this one. Hubby coaxed me for a day to go to the conference. I had taken the time off of work - why not? I explained to him that I wasn't prepared. Sweet Hubby then said, "Well, let's take that trip to Sanibel Island (Florida). You've been wanting to go back there, and we didn't get to go anywhere for our anniversary." Ahhhh, romantic! but doable?
Within an hour, we had booked the flight, got our room at an inn on the beach, arranged our car rental, and rearranged hubby's schedule to fit. I had never planned a trip like that in just a few days. It's always been at least a week or two. It felt so romance-novelish.
I've got to tell you that my mind is still on Sanibel this week. The weather was perfect - 85 degrees. We walked the beaches, shelled, and watched incredible sunsets over the Gulf. I'm so glad we listened to God's promptings and took the trip. We've been so busy lately. Eric and I reconnected, I reconnected with my awesome Maker, and I feel refreshed - even my writing is better since I have returned. The trip was just what we needed.
Ever take a impromptu trip or romantic getaway? Ever listen to God's promptings, even though you weren't sure about it?
I would love to hear from you.
Between you, me and the gatepost,
Loree
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| Our shell haul from the Gulf of Mexico Photo by Eric Huebner We had to ship these home. |
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| Another awesome sunset on Sanibel Photo by Eric Huebner |
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| Loree Huebner (yep, that's me) hunting for large, vacant, Conch shells in the Gulf at Captiva Island. Yep, we found some! Photo by Eric Huebner |
28 comments:
That's awesome! It looks beautiful. We used to take short trips down to Dallas for the weekend. The four-year-old has put that on hold for a little while :)
Ah, what a sweet story! I'm so glad you got to go. I'm not really a last-minute type of person...so I've never really planned a last-minute trip. But you're inspiring me... :P
You were in my state!! The weather is gorgeous right now. I would love last minute stuff...so exciting. What a romantic time you two had. :)
Hi Loree, it sounds like this spontaneous trip was a blessing, and I'm so glad. I don't know what I'd do if my hubby ever tried to pull a spontaneous trip on me -- I'm one of those people who needs time to think about something before I do it, lol!
What a time away. Rarely, oh so rarely do we get to do things so impromptu (like that word) like that.
~ Wendy
Gorgeous photos, Loree! So glad to hear that you had such a lovely time. We haven't done many impromptu getaways, but they're always the best!
Love that your hubby helped turn a disappointment into a fun trip, after all! Wonderful!
Julie: I remember how hard it was to get away when you have little ones. Dallas sounds like a fun weekend!
Lindsay: It was totally out of the blue, and that made it really fun. I was sorry I missed meeting you all at the conference, but loved seeing everyone's pictures on fb and the blogs. I'm so glad you all had a great time!!
Jessica: I thought of you when I was there. Hey, loved seeing pictures of that fish you caught! Magnificent fish!
Gwen: It really was a blessing. I never just spontaneously jetted off somewhere - it was very romantic. We just packed carry-ons and left.
Wendy: Boy, do I understand "rarely". This was a rare occasion. So good to hear from you!
Sandra: Thanks. My back was so burned when I was "conching" at Captiva. I had to wear a shirt and hat. I'm peeling now.
Melissa: I was disappointed not to meet up with all of you, and my agent, but it wasn't meant to happen that way. God knew how important it was for Eric and I to get away.
Thanks for stopping by everyone! Loved reading your comments!
What an awesome memory you'll share forever, Loree.
My husband and I have never done an impromptu trip like that, but I remember my family did when I was maybe 8 years old. It was Christmas break, and my parents decided last-minute to take a trip to Philadelphia. We saw the Liberty Bell and other historic sites and took a horse and carriage ride in the snow. Oh, and we of course had to take a detour to visit the Hershey chocolate factory too. :)
Sarah: What a fun time! I bet you have tons of memories from that trip, and Christmastime on top of it. Thanks for stopping in and sharing your story!
I'm glad you have an adventurous husband! Mine is that same way. He will book a trip on the spur of the moment. We went to that island once and just drove around. LOVELY. Glad you enjoyed and glad you are feeling better!
The romantic in me read this post and sighed. I love that your guy suggested taking you on trip to such a beautiful destination for some alone-together time. I'm glad you had such a great experience. I'm also glad you're back is doing better.
Sheesh. I knew which your to use in that last sentence. Really I did. :-/
So glad you had a great time! You're right; it sounds so romantic and fun. :)
Beautiful pics!
My late husband and I enjoyed taking a day off and going for a long ride. We'd stop at quaint antique stores, laugh at unusual signs, and relish being together.
Oh, that's wonderful, Loree! I love those pictures. Sounds like it was a refreshing time! I would love to take a spontaneous trip some day. :)
Terri: How fun that you have an adventurous hubby! Yours and mine should get together...I wonder where we would end up?!?!? LOL!
Keli: I did miss hugging your neck at the conference. I loved seeing your pictures. I did a post on you're and your last month!! LOL! That one gets me all of the time!
Karen: Thanks! We had some inspirational romance of our own.
Susan: I love those kinds of days and drives. Being together is the most important part. Glad you have such wonderful memories that stay close to your heart.
Melanie: It really was wonderful. I just loved your post today. BEAUTIFUL! By the way, you look marvelous! I can't wait for the birth of your third son!
Thanks everyone for dropping by! Fun comments!
I'm a planner by nature too. It's usually only trips to see family that are shorter notice. But I do love the idea of a spur of the moment romantic trip - being swept off my feet! In real life neither the time or the money is there, but I live in hope :-)
I love this story, Loree. You're right - it sounds like it came straight out of a novel! Glad you're feeling better!
So glad you were able to take a romantic get-away. Sounds like just what the Lord ordered! Thanks for sharing your amazing pix, too. Absolutely gorgeous! Hugs & God bless
Sounds like the perfect getaway! I love looking for shells too - the ones you found are amazing and HUGE. :) Glad you had a wonderful time!
Charlotte: There is always hope ;)
Victoria: Thanks. Just getting away is such a stress reliever. Congrats to your hubby! You both are so talented!
Maria: It was exactly what God ordered. This time I didn't wrestle with him. :)
Stacy: I would go feeling with my feet in waist deep water...that's where we found the large conchs. I am really enjoying reading your book!
Thanks for popping in everyone. I really love reading your comments!
Oh wow, how wonderful!!!
I LOVE the photos. So gorgeous. Good to hear you're fit to travel again.
Excellent!!! I'm so happy for you, that you got to do something like that. And I'm glad your back is doing better too. :)
Lynda: Yeah, finally. The island is gorgeous. I hear it's in the top ten vacation destinations in the U. S. I had been there before, years back, but it was Eric's first time. He loved it.
Carol: Yes, my back is better, it's other parts that seem to be falling apart...jk...lol
Lynda and Carol, thanks for stopping by!
That is SO awesome, Loree! I love that your husband suggested it. Every couple needs to reconnect, and what better way than on a romantic getaway?
We're trying to work more "dates" into life right now. It's hard sometimes. :)
This sounds so wonderful! It's been awhile since I've done something like this. I could use a little recharge (both with the hubby and spiritually)~ things get so busy and it's easy to caught up in life and not take the time to cater to the things that really matter. Thanks for posting about this :)
Jill: Those "dates" are so important. I know it's hard when you have little ones, but make time for yourselves. It strengthens the marriage.
Jess: You are so right - we get busy and caught up in life that we forget to nurture ourselves and our relationships. You don't realize it until you return, just how bad you needed that recharge.
Great to hear from you, Jill and Jess!
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