A post from Kelli–
When Jason and I got engaged, I knew that there were going to be some major stipulations on when we could get married. Because he farms, he said there would be no weddings in April or May for planting or September through November for harvest. I didn’t want to get married in the summer because I hate being hot and sweaty and hot and sweaty in tulle is another horrible thing I hope none of you have to experience. I also knew that many of the winter months, specifically December through February, would be out because much of my family is from Minnesota and Iowa winter weather isn’t always the most conducive to traveling. This left March. I also knew that I didn’t want to wait forever and a day to get married, so it was determined that we were getting married that coming March–Did I mention we got engaged in October? We had 5 months to plan.
When we actually picked the date, I had no idea that I would be going back to school, but it just so happened that the date we picked, March 15th was the Saturday after spring break at the school that I was attending. Wahooo! That gave me a week before the wedding to pull everything together and it worked out perfectly! Because I had to go back to school however, we weren’t able to go on a honeymoon.
I really wasn’t too upset because I didn’t want to go anywhere big or fly on a plane (I’m a wimp). We just said that we’d do something later on….which didn’t really happen. And then we found out about our new house, and then we moved, and then I started nursing school, so I didn’t really think anything would happen. You can imagine my surprise when Jason told me that he planned on taking a few days off the March when I was on spring break and we were going to go somewhere.
After a little bit of looking around and planning, we decided that we could go to Galena, Illinois. It’s about two and a half hours from our house and has tons of little shops and antique type stores. Far enough away that we were “going away” but not to far that we’d have to spend a whole day just driving.
Wednesday evening, we set off and started on our way. We stopped at Texas Roadhouse in Dubuque per Jason’s request and then got to our hotel in Galena. Thursday we just strolled the downtown and hit up a few antique stores. On Friday we packed up and headed home with a few stops on the way. It was really nice to get away and do something that really had no purpose. I figured it out and in the 7 years that we have been together, there has been only one day that Jason stayed home and didn’t go to the farm at all. There have been a handful of days (3 that I can think of) that he hasn’t gone to the farm because we have been at a wedding, but he almost always has to do chores in the morning before we leave to go somewhere or has to go do something when we get back.
One of the things that I picked up when I was in Galena was this little ceramic “shot glass.” I don’t know if it was meant to be a shot glass, but I’m adding it to my collection to remember the wonderful time we had!
If you’re looking for a little get away…Galena is really nice.
I’m hoping next year we might be able to get away again.
I had to look again and make sure I hadn’t written this blog post!!! It was my senior year in college when my Hubs proposed in October. He told me we had to get married before planting season or wait until after harvest. We decided on the Saturday just before my Spring Break was to take place. So we got married on March 20th! Only 5 months of planning, but it all worked out! And, 39 years later we still laugh about it. I can count on just my two hands how many times we have been away from the farm for more than a day! And never been away for more than 6 days! So good luck with your farmer husband! But, they are worth it! HUGS… and stitches
Happy Anniversary Kelli!! Thanks for sharing your story.
So glad you two enjoyed yourselves. I love Galena, too. It’s a fun little town to explore.
Your “prize” jug reminds me of how cream used to be served in restaurants for coffee. My grandpa had a diner, and I liked to chug those little shots of cream down like a piggy! Thanks for bringing back that warm memory of my childhood, and many happy returns for your anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to you both. My grandparents were farmers, so I know what an effort it is to get away even for a few days. Just be sure you do take time to make each other feel special, even if it is just part of an afternoon or evening spent together.
Congrats on finally getting away alone together, I remember the early days too my husband couldn’t take off for a honeymoon either. And thanks for the instant notice of the towns I remember growing up in Des Moines. Best of luck in your future as husband and wife & farmer & nurse & someday Momma & Daddy.
Jeri
I love Galena! We went last fall and the hotel we stayed in had an old singer for a Tv stand!!