On Celebrating

Anniversaries and the Art of Getting Away

Tomorrow, Lucas and I celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary.

Lindsey and Lucas, on their wedding day, in front of the waterfall at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens, October 28, 2018.

Given that these four years have also included more than half of 45’s presidency, a global pandemic, some job changes, an insurrection, and a journey with infertility, it often feels like much longer than that. We like to joke that the COVID-19 pressure cooker added about ten years to our marriage. Proximity to each other and isolation from others taught us a lot about ourselves, each other, and our relationship in a relatively short period of time. One of the things we have learned is that celebrating makes life better; whether it’s a high five for an item accomplished on a honey-do list or an epic road trip when one partner’s last day on the job aligns perfectly with the first day of the other’s sabbatical.

This year we chose to celebrate our anniversary a little early so we could catch some of the fall color along the Mid-Atlantic Coast of Maine. For about a week, we too could be counted among the “leaf-peepers.”

Lucas and Lindsey stand atop the tower at Mount Battie, outside Camden, ME, with views of the turning leaves and Penobscot Bay in the background.

Our dreamy New England fall travels gave us the opportunity to see and hug friends from different parts of our lives—bakers, lawyers, teachers, and pastors (if you’re ever proximal to Camden, ME, check out Brazen Baking – so yummy!) and it gave us the opportunity to explore a part of the country that was new to both of us.

Lucas with old Colorado College buddy and star baker of Brazen Baking, Jeff Deck.

Lindsey with pastor-pal and cohort-mate from the UCC’s Next Generation Leadership Initiative, Alexis Fuller-Wright.

Lindsey with dear friend and Iowan in diaspora, Stephanie Haskins.

A few days into the trip, I started telling Lucas “Happy Anniversary!” each day because each day of exploration was a celebration!

At first it kind of freaked him out. “It’s not really today, is it? 10.28.2018, right?” But we got into a rhythm as we drove our way up the coast to Acadia. So that when I said it each day, at a moment that was genuinely full of joy and gratitude—like when we passed above the fog on our way up Cadillac Mountain and, though we couldn’t see the sea, instead saw oceans of pillowy fog blanketing the land- (and sea-) scape; or when a day we thought we’d have to scrap for rain (and work meetings) stayed just clear enough for a couple of briny hikes to take in the windy, raucous, waves “where the mountains meet the sea”; or when on our last night, we got to be present for a Brandi Carlile concert in a stadium filled with the magic of pure joy, extraordinary music, and so much love—Lucas would chuckle, say it back, and ask, “How many days is it again?”

Lindsey stands atop Cadillac Mountain, above the fog.

Lucas and Lindsey, windblown and damp at the outlet of the Neverland trail at Acadia National Park. The wind and waves were roaring on this unexpected bonus day.

Glorious fall weather on our last day at the park: “Happy Anniversary!”

We caught a rainbow at sunset atop Cadillac Mountain our last day in the park. “Happy Anniversary!”

We were there! What an extraordinary show! Happy Anniversary!

Maine was overcast, foggy, and magical for most of the week we spent there. We celebrated our marriage, old friendships, the National Park Service, land held in public trust, the glory of the wild and lovely gift of creation in the fall that inspires awe daily, and some amazing music in Boston as a coda to the trip. Anniversaries are a great reason to celebrate. But there are so many reasons to celebrate when you start looking.

What are you celebrating today?