Romantic Valentine’s Day Weekend in Lynchburg

Romantic Valentine’s Day Weekend in Lynchburg

H and I wanted to do something romantic for our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple, which was also, coincidentally, our six-month wedding anniversary. We decided to do a special weekend trip to one of our favorite destinations—Lynchburg, VA! We stayed at the Virginian Hotel downtown and planned a whole weekend of socially distanced activities, including wine tasting in a private igloo.

Celebrating Our First Anniversary in Williamsburg

Celebrating Our First Anniversary in Williamsburg

I was shocked when I realized we had been married for almost a year—it went by so fast! To celebrate, H and I went to the Williamsburg Inn (“the scene of the crime”) for a long weekend away. This weekend was an absolute dream—we both agreed it was one of our favorite things we did this year. I loved spending some quality time together before we plunged into the craziness of September wedding season.

Valentine’s Day Trip to Annapolis

Valentine’s Day Trip to Annapolis

This Valentine’s Day H and I went on a quick but romantic trip to Annapolis, Maryland. Annapolis is less than an hour away and there was so much I wanted to do there—I can’t believe we hadn’t taken a day trip there before! This getaway was a great way to break up the dreary month of February, and I loved learning more about the historic downtown area.

Backpacking in Dolly Sods

Backpacking in Dolly Sods

Last October, in the pinnacle of my backpacking experience so far, H and I went on a three-day guided hiking trip in Monongahela National Forest with Andrew Skurka Adventures. We had been scheduled to go three weeks before our original wedding date in 2020 (truly a bold move) but the trip was postponed and we ended up going in October 2021. We spent two nights in the woods, wore the same outfit for three days in a row, hiked what felt like ten miles every day, and loved it! I checked off a ton of backcountry milestones and had a great time.

What to Wear for a September Wedding (or Three)

What to Wear for a September Wedding (or Three)

This September, due to a combination of pandemic engagements, rescheduling, and sheer chaos energy, H and I were invited to three weddings: one for a college friend in Cincinnati, one for H’s college friend in northern Virginia, and one for my cousin in Richmond. While the logistics of the month were daunting, I was beyond excited to celebrate these three beautiful couples with our friends and family and for one of my all-time favorite activities—choosing wedding guest dresses!

A Weekend Getaway at a Cozy Cabin

A Weekend Getaway at a Cozy Cabin

he second weekend of October, H and I spent a few days unplugged at a Getaway House near Shenandoah National Park. I had tried to book one last fall when I was craving a cozy cabin experience (and a socially distanced weekend away during peak COVID) but of course they were completely full, so I made a reservation for October 2021 instead. I had no idea when I booked the trip how busy we would be this fall, and this weekend getaway in the mountains was the perfect mini-break for us to spend time together enjoying nature.

Honeymoon in the Maldives

Honeymoon in the Maldives

While it feels like it’s been ages (over a year already!) since H and I got married, there was one important wedding event left—we still had to go on our honeymoon! Researching potential honeymoon destinations, we wanted to go somewhere tropical, where we could relax on the beach without the packed vacation itinerary we had in the Azores and Paris. We were willing to go a little further than we usually would, since our honeymoon would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and when we started looking at the Maldives we knew it would be perfect. Our honeymoon was a dream come true: we stayed in a luxurious villa over the water, with a private deck and plunge pool, surrounded by the gorgeous Indian Ocean. It was the most wonderful, romantic trip I’ve ever been on.