What a wonderful month of memory making it has been! I want to begin with the largest THANK YOU to my incredible husband Don. While I was off traveling he was at home holding down the fort as the saying goes. As a lot of us know, when your partner in life is away...and you're the one left at home it tends to get long and lonely. But Don NEVER complains, never ever makes me feel guilty, he just truly wants me to be happy and enjoy the experience. I'm very blessed, which is why I wanted to start today's blog with a shout out to my Don! Love you babe❣️ Now....for the rest of my recap...😍.
My first trip was with my future daughter-in-law (Jenny) to The Villages in Florida. We spent...YES THE Kleinfeld with Randy, Camille and everyone else a terrific week with my gracious parents and one spectacular day at Cocoa Beach with my sister Kim. The weather was picture perfect and our days were mostly spent poolside just enjoying each other's company and relaxing. From the moment we met Jenny (Don & me) we've loved her, but to be able to spend the whole week with her was a real blessing. I feel like we're closer than ever before! The biggest bonus was seeing Jenny with my parents. They too love her dearly and clearly the feeling is mutual. My son has chosen a very special lady to marry and we are very happy for them both.
The week was exhausting but so fulfilling and I was very grateful that I was able to simply pick up & go. In addition to Mother and Daddy I was able to see several really close friends and make several new ones. We were also there while Daddy had is "heart shock" procedure done which gave me a huge sense of comfort. Speaking of which, Daddy's doing VERY well, his energy level is higher and his breathing is no longer labored. Such a relief.
I was home for 4 days, saw my oncologist, had my infusion and Fasladex shots and FINALLY...FINALLY my BFF Jeanie & I flew out to NYC and Michael. To say that I was excited was such an understatement you have no idea. Many of you have seen pictures from the trip...it was glorious. I'll give you a brief recap:
Thursday...arrived. Mike met us at our hotel and we took Jeanie (by subway, which btw was my first subway ride!). We visited the 911 Memorial, then walked over to Battery Park (this is where you can see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.). Since Jeanie and I had been up since 400am, we headed back to the hotel. Jeanie chose to stay in but Mike and I met up with Jenny and her parents
(Shelly and Dave) who came out too so we could all do a bit of wedding planning. 😀
We saw and secured the reception venue...omg it's so gorgeous! Then Dave (thank you again!) treated us to a great dinner. A wonderful day
Friday....since it was raining, and I've always wanted to see it, we went to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It did nit disappoint in any way! I kept wishing that we could spend days there rather than a few hours. It was fascinating to experience it with Mike, we both enjoyed so many of the same things. After not living together for going on 11 years he's become not only grown up, and extremely knowledgeable, but really worldly. I learn so much from him when we're together, it fascinates me how the tables have turned!
Friday night was super special! Months earlier I had ordered theatre tickets to WICKED which was playing at The Gershwin Theatre. It had always been my dream to take Mike to a Broadway 🎭 show, and I finally accomplished it. We went to a really fun Irish pub for dinner first, picked up our tickets, walked around Times Square, and then went back and enjoyed the show. Each of us...Jeanie, Mike, Jenny (her ticket was her 29 bday gift from Don and me) loved every moment of hit! It was and will forever be a treasured memory that I will carry in my heart!
Saturday...this was also another exciting day! Fortunately I was able to sleep in, by this time I was overly exhausted, but happier than I can begin to tell you!!! At 130pm Jeanie & I met the others (except Mike) at Kleinfeld Bridal ...YES the one and only Kleinfelds with Randy Fenoli and everyone. It was just like the show "Say Yes to the Dress" and I was thrilled for Jenny knowing how much this meant to her. The experience did not disappoint, they treated us so well and Jenny was treated like a princess. It was perfect and she did in fact say YES to the dress❣️ Thank you sweetheart for including me in such a special memory! I love you Jenny!
After Kleinfelds was my time with Mike...and it was fabulous. We walked to a small pub for appetizer s and drinks and then walked to a charming park to just talk for several hours. It was the highlight of my trip! Mike and I always try to sneak a few minutes of alone time together on each trip, visit, vacation etc. Sometimes we're successful and sometimes we aren't. This time was perfection. I'm so grateful for that time and that at 29 Mike wants to make sure we can do that. With us living so far from each other those times are just priceless.
Jeanie and I stayed in that evening and called it an early night...Mike and Jenny had a lovely last evening with Dave and Shelly as they were flying out the next afternoon.
Sunday...we all gathered at a charming French bistro for brunch (again THANK YOU very much Dave, your generosity knows no bounds!). Afterward we sadly said our goodbyes to Shelly & Dave. Jenny went back to their apartment as she was starting her new job the next day and wanted to prepare, so Mike (the greatest tour guide) took Jeanie & i to the south end of Central Park, a part ID yet to see. It was beautiful and a lovely day to explore. We came out near the Guggenheim (think Spanish Harlem) and caught the start of the Cinco de Mayo parade. Always something going on in the city!
It was getting late in the day and I was in need of rest, so it was decided that we'd head back to the hotel for R & R and Mike would come over later for the dreaded goodbyes. 😢 Saying goodbye to him each time is the hardest thing in the world for me. As everyone who knows me is aware, Mike is my pride and joy, he and Don are what keep me going, and I would do anything in the world for him ❣️ I love you ❤️ with my WHOLE heart honey!
And now I'm home. I missed Don like crazy...Jeanie was a wonderful travel companion, but two trips back to back without my husband was a bit to much. Our family is looking forward to August when we will once again be together at our beloved Leech Lake. We've rented a cabin , the Hein's have reservations and the Longs are flying in from Florida so along with all of our children so it will be a perfect memory making week!
Next week it's back to my monthly oncology visit, so as you can tell life is pretty much back to normal. Lol!
Huge thank yous to the following people that made my travel memories possible:
Don, Mike, Jenny, Mother, Daddy, Kimmy, Jeanie, Dave, Shelly and Dr. Jurgens. Each of you played a role whether large or small and I'm soooo appreciative.
God Bless each of you, continued prayers for Don, Mike and I'd like to add my amazing future daughter-in-law...Jenny. We already feel as though you're part of the family honey! Love to all. 💕💕💕
