Best Anniversary Gift EVER + Weekend Recap

So, did everyone have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend?

I sure did!

I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary on Sunday by doing exactly what I did for our first anniversary. Slightly modified, however, because this time I actually brought my husband along.

{Fun fact: I spent our first anniversary with my bestie Lana… not my husband. I interned with the 500 Festival that spring, and the Indianapolis 500 happened to fall on the same weekend as high school graduations. I went to the race, and he went to my sister and his brothers’ commencements.}

Courtny and I were joined by my cousin, Kayla, and her fiance, Dave (shout out to Dave – you’re on the blog!) for the 99th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. This was Dave’s first time to see the 500, so obviously we had to do it up right! We stumbled upon an incredible parking deal that included a “clean” bathroom, free water and coffee, and a shuttle to the track… for $20.

Uh, yes please? Parking at the Indy 500 usually brings Courtny and I halfway to divorce. This year we were drinking brews on a school bus by 9:30 a.m.

Victory.

The weather was perfect. By the time Courtny was about to overheat, our seats became shaded. The race was exciting, the local beers we brought were on point, the Indy Dogs were just as good as I remembered… Patrick Dempsey was like 50 feet from us…

Oh, and Kayla and I managed to get a selfie with our “almost” grandma.

{I’m full of fun facts today: Our grandpa once went on a date with Florence Henderson (aka Carol Brady) in his youth. We literally could have been the Brady Bunch.}

Unfortunately, Juan Pablo Montoya won. Boo.

We all stopped for a quick dinner at Scotty’s Brewhouse, picked up baby D, and headed home for what was left of the evening. I had full intentions of relaxing and cozying up with the last Harry Potter book, because that’s what you do on your anniversary when you’ve been married as long as we have.

You see, we both agreed not to buy each other anything. We even had the conversation earlier in the week that going to the race would be our “gift.” I broke the rules and bought him a card, because I’m a rebel like that. So as I was sitting out on the deck, enthralled in the Deathly Hallows, I thought our anniversary was over.

I didn’t see this coming.

Naturally my husband has to outdo me and surprise me with a BEACH VACATION. All planned and all purchased without my knowledge.

I was speechless. I cried. I still can’t figure out how he managed to pull this off. And then I gave him my card… which felt ridiculous in comparison.

But can we talk about how excited I am? Because I’m STOKED. There is nothing I need more than a little QT with the sun, sand and the love of my life… all while knowing that baby D is having the best time with her grandparents. Did I mention that I’m ecstatic?!

Best. Anniversary. Ever.

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So… how was your weekend? 😀