But then Mother's Day came and Eric surprised me as a new mommy (even if she is still cooking) with several different gifts- one of them- a trip to Charleston for 4 nights! I actually cried. We have not been to Charleston in 2 years. I used to go almost every month by myself for a weekend. Then I met Eric and he and I started going a couple times a year. I ran my first marathon there, Eric and I ran a 10k there, we got engaged there!! And obviously it is special to me primarily because at 4 days old I had already been shipped by helicopter to MUSC to have my first of several open heart surgeries. So yes, I cried from the joy of finally getting to see my second home again one more time as just us two.
I don't know if I will ever be able to verbalize the intensity of my immense gratitude to my husband for this gift. Words are my top love language and there are simply no words to fully capsule my gratitude and happiness.
Friday we dropped the fur babies off at the vet for their "vacation" and then hit the road to our little piece of paradise. We stayed in Mt. Pleasant so we could be near IOP and Charleston. The first day we got checked in then ventured down to Sullivan's Island to Poe's Tavern for a burger by the beach. Every time (even at home) Eric and I sit down together over a meal- we just talk and talk and dream and plan and laugh and discuss so much. I still learn about him daily. One reason why it is easy to truly daily fall more in love with this handsome man. I never want to stop pursuing his heart. After lunch we headed for downtown Charleston to do our usual antics- the touristy things that we laugh about as we are not really tourists at all- we just have certain spots we love to continually see! We even joke about how vendors and shopkeepers first question is, "Where are you visiting from?" I am almost irked by it as I don't see myself as a visitor....never have! But we laugh and say "Greenville." I suppose if you visit the touristy places then you are subjecting yourself to such questions! We go through market and look at our favorite Charlestonian artist, Paul Silva. *Visit our home and you will find most of our art is his.* We found a new photographer artist we loved and plan to budget for some pieces soon. Ken Bowman. Beautiful. Though I've nearly ran out of wall space! We walk the battery and people watch- boat watch. Walk through town and gawk at the beautiful homes as if I've never seen them before. Later we head back to our hotel and relax by the pool before grabbing a bite to eat. Mac-n-cheese egg rolls. MMM- sonnnn those are good!
Saturday and Sunday were spent basking in the sun and the ocean breeze on IOP. Our lunch favorites those days were my norms- Banana Cabana and "Beach Biz" which is not truly named this yet many years ago- it had no name and my sister and I gave it such name. It is now under new ownership- Coconut Joe's is the true name. But either way, it is simply a curbside hut full of classic yums. I get a corndog and fries. I'm not big on change or getting too crazy-- unless Eric shows me something new and then I really have had some tasty concoctions. At Banana Cabana Eric and I enjoy beach front outdoor seating with Jalapeno hush puppies as our app. Spicy then dipped in a good honey butter. Yummo! Live music- though this particular singer was a bust at this lunch and Eric and I sat at our high top laughing as we made up stories about why he was so bad....y'all...like he was bad. Forgot lyrics and most of his songs words seemed to be, "Nah nah nahhhh nah." Then he would like take a 2 minute break between songs. After about 4 songs...and we were there before he ever started his show...he announced he was taking a break. Even the waitresses were asking what was up....it gave us entertainment regardless! We always laugh at such situations. Besides, we had sand, sun, food, and each other. Perfection. I finished one Emily Giffin book on the beach and began reading a book by Kevin Kwan, "Crazy Rich Asians" as I have read and heard many amazing reviews. Over halfway through it and I can agree- Hilarious book! Eric and I are like two old geezers on the beach. All we wanna do is recline, read (me), nap, and people watch. Saturday night we went to Shem Creek for supper. I had been there before but never actually gotten to eat at one of the restaurants. The ONLY planned item for the entire trip was this dinner reservation at Water's Edge....y'all...amazing seafood!! Amazing. Great view of the marina- plenty of boat watching, people watching, and happenings to make up our own stories about together. We walked the docks and watched the sunset, a man unsuccessfully crabbing, and some party crowd on a tourist trap cheap boat tour....we will never forget you, dancing green romper girl with red solo cup. Bless her little heart. People watching is really the best haha! Eric and I would prefer a smaller crowd of a boat tour, less party music, and good wine...not that I can have any at the moment! ha! But boy do we love going on boats! Finished the evening with Eric grabbing a cup of vanilla ice cream.
Monday we went to The Sea Biscuit Cafe for breakfast. I am in love with their brown cinnamon swirl french toast. Then we went out to West Ashley to visit our most romantical spot- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. We always discover something new when there. This time we toured the actual plantation home and found a river walk. A private long walk just us two and the alligators. Then we had lunch at Shem creek Bar and Grill where I had my first seafood fried up. I normally prefer it to not be fried so I can really taste my flavors. But it was a fried shrimp and hushpuppy kinda mood! Really good food, atmosphere, and no large crowds!! Eric ordered a *Darn* Yankee beer....because you know...he's a yankee by every southern definition. And boy do I love that about him!! We watched paddleboarders and boats. Then- pregnant little mama who was walking miles and miles like as if she weren't pregnant at all with her poor pilsbury ankles needed a nap. So back to the hotel we went for some R&R - (what this trip was about after all!) After my nap we got freshened up for supper. We went to Morgan Creek Grill located at an inlet just at the edge of IOP and Wild Dunes. Another AMAZING restaurant. Classy, amazing cuisine, wonderful views. I opted for a filet this time but already plan to do scallops next visit as those sounded divine, too. Eric had mahi mahi. Which he made me try for a second time this trip. I enjoyed it both times! He is so good about getting me out of my comfort zone and teaching me about food. In fact- if not for him and our other trips to Charleston- I'd never have tried all the seafood I do eat today. Which is a lot. I pretty much love it all. We watched the multi-millionaires on their very large yachts and pretended what we would have or do should we own one. We love dreaming like this together. And playing! But we really love boats! And fishing for our dinner! Haha! We shared a piece of PB pie together. Once we were thoroughly stuffed, we walked a small dock in which we encountered a boat that had two dogs upon it resembling Cajun and an older fatter Blondie! I mean clones, y'all. The dogs and their nice owner got off the boat and came up the ramp and we were able to pet and play with them! It was precious for us! This was our last supper of the vacation. We headed back to our room and reluctantly packed. But went to bed with some amazing memories and sweet dreams indeed of all we did, saw, and talked about together.
There is nothing like being married to your best friend. Truly nothing. You never get tired of one another, genuinely miss each other the 8-12 hours you are apart for work, and can't wait to share all your stories and ideas together. Everything you do together is fun and an adventure. I even love going to the grocery store or home depot with him. Nothing like it. Effortless yet at the same time you put forth an effort because they DO matter so much. It is so easy though when it is your God given, God answered prayer of a best friend and lover- it just makes sense. I think what we have is rare and hard for people to imagine- but we can't imagine how all loves and marriages aren't so full of joy and fun- even when we encounter hard times/things. Gotta have each other's hearts and backs!
Thank you, Eric my sweet darling for all the amazing and incredible things you do for us. From the most simple of things like grabbing me a water to big things like surprising me with paradise. I will never be able to fully show or say how much this and all of "you" mean to me...how you have made my heart literally feel big warm glowing gushes of sunshine...but know that you have and know that I love you and I adore you and am always going to stand by you to be your helper and lover and best friend. I could not love any human more than you. Ellie will be a close second but you, after God, are my number one! Thank you for our Babymoon my precious sweetie! Thank you for these memories!
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