Once upon a time a girl met a boy and fell in love. A few years later, they got married. In the course of time, they had many adventures together, and seven beautiful children. Time flew by, and before they knew it, their 15th wedding anniversary rolled around.
September 16th, 2010
Rich surprised me by suggesting a trip to New York City. I was surprised because I had mentioned going with him several times in the past, but he never seemed very enthusiastic about it. Spending any amount of time in THE city was not his idea of relaxing. Apparently it just wasn’t the right time yet.
Yesterday was the perfect time for our first visit to the city, a special and memorable way to celebrate the 15 years of marriage that God has blessed us with. We are both so thankful to my friend Kathy, and my sister Amanda, for babysitting the children for us so we could go.
The drive to New Haven, to get on the Amtrak train, was great. We picked up coffees and breakfast sandwiches on the way and talked the entire time. We were both light hearted and laughed constantly. 
On the train ride, we continued our non stop talking. We had a very productive conversation about our home life. We brainstormed ideas about how to make my mornings run smoother. Next week I will try to have a better routine in the mornings; breakfast with the children, a clean up/laundry time together, and a 9:00 start time for school each day. I have never liked working with a set schedule, I like to drift along according to my mood(s) and priorities at the time, but I am beginning to realize that having more of a predictable schedule will help our home life become more peaceful, less stressful. We are starting with a new morning routine, and after that is established and the kinks worked out, we will work on the rest of the day, too. It was a relief to tell my husband the areas in my day that were the most complicated, and to have him help me come up with good, POSITIVE solutions.
We’ve been so busy that we haven’t talked like that in a very long time. Having a day to ourselves showed us that we need to take more time to really talk and listen to one another. We are a couple, a team, on the same side….and it was a blessing to reconnect on the train. He wasn’t distracted by driving, we could sit side by side and talk. We also did some reading.
We eventually arrived at the city. Rich carried his backpack with our needed supplies for Sarah, and I carried Sarah in my arms. We brought the Ergo, but never needed it. She is still small enough that I didn’t mind holding her, and when she was too heavy, I just passed her over to Rich and he carried her for a while. Sarah got a lot of comments and attention.
We decided to eat at Rockefeller Center and began our walk along the busy streets of NY City. On the way, we passed a bakery that I really wanted to go in…the Magnolia Bakery. Because we were hungry and on a mission for lunch I didn’t mention it to Rich. But I never forgot about that bakery and knew it would haunt me a little, if I didn’t get a cupcake. LOL
We had a very relaxing lunch at Rockefeller Center, outdoors by the waterfall. The weather was gorgeous, cool with a light breeze.
We shared an appetizer…fried calamari…it was light, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
I ordered a delicious lobster salad. The chilled lobster was served on top of a cold corn salad. It was seasoned with a dressing made with one of my favorite herbs, cilantro.
I am a meat and potatoes gal so I also enjoyed a bite or two of Rich’s yummy cheeseburger, and some fries.
A nice young lady agreed to take a picture for us.
Rich wanted me to take this picture. 
Rich told me he was going to take me to Tiffany’s to get me an anniversary gift. I said, “Well…if you insist….”
Just kidding. I was overwhelmed and VERY HAPPY! We went in and didn’t even leave the first floor. After gushing over baby Sarah, a lady named Karen helped us and together we narrowed the choices down to two beautiful necklaces. I left the final decision to my husband, knowing that if he picked it out it would mean more to me. Also I could not for the life of me make up my mind.
The decision was made. I was gifted with a beautiful, dainty diamond, set in a thin gold necklace.
We sat and watched her put it in a box and wrap it around with a satin ribbon. When she snipped off the extra ribbon from the ends of the bow, I asked her if I could have it. I told her I was going to give the ribbon to the girls for their hair. Some very special ribbon from Tiffany’s. She got right up and got another big handful of it from the roll and put it in the bag for me. 
As we got up to leave the wonderful place, I reached for my blue bag and knocked over a champagne glass and smashed it to smithereens. I like to make dramatic exits like that. 
We did a lot of walking and window shopping, simply enjoying the exciting atmosphere of the city. At times we weren’t sure where we were going, but there was always a crowd to walk with….we could pretend we belonged and knew exactly what we were doing. *smile* I’ve been to the city before, with girlfriends, and I was so happy to finally be making some memories there with Rich. It was a wonderful day.
Back at the train station, we bought our tickets to go back home. With just minutes to spare, God had a little surprise anniversary gift for us. To my joy, I noticed a Magnolia Bakery stand and we quickly bought a piece of red velvet cheesecake, a coconut cupcake, and a coffee. We shared the treats on the way home. They were very delicious, especially the cheesecake. Rich couldn’t get over how good it was. The perfect ending, a yummy dessert, after our special day.
Today, the girls wore their new pretties~
Good to be Home 
What an awesome anniversary! I have tried to convince my hubs to go to NYC someday and he just gives me the scrunchy nose not interested look. Maybe someday. After reading your post I want to go visit a yummy bakery and get some delish dessert. Love that he bought you jewelry from Tiffanys. How sweet. Congrats on 15 years!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU BOTH! ! ! !
That sounds like a fabulous day!
Happy Anniversary!And thanks a lot for sharing the pictures of your trip to NYC, I would love to go back to “the” city as well!
Happy Anniversary, you two!
What a wonderful way to spend your anniversary!! NYC is a place I would like to visit, just to say I did. Wow, that bakery sounds wonderful. My husband really likes red velvet cake, and I love cheesecake :). Congratulations on 15 years together!!
How fun!! Happy Anniversary!!!
Happy Anniversary! I feel silly now. I knew your anniversary was the month before ours and two days off- I just got the two days in the wrong direction. Two days AFTER the 14th, not before. Oh well, guess I was just early. Better than late, eh? Looks like you had a wonderful day! That coconut cupcake sounds divine. I can believe that Sarah got lots of compliments- she is so scrumptious. Oh, and thanks for sharing about your dramatic exit. Love it!
Happy Anniversary!! and, so happy for you that you got to have such a lovely time away together!!!
Ah, Shanda! What a heartwarming post. There are tears in my eyes, I am so happy for you and Rich and the celebration of your marriage. I had to think about the fact that this post encompasses some of the most important elements in a good marriage — spontaneity, time together, problem solving, relaxation, parenting, romance, giftings, good food, — just a whole lot of important things wrapped up in a package that you will never forget — and we are blessed in your sharing of it. Every single year is so important, but I do think it is important to mark the milestones — and 15 is a good milestone to celebrate. Blessings, my girlie. I’m so proud of you!
hi shanda……was that a perfect celebration or what?! that’s so great to live in the country and yet be close to nyc – perfect! i just love that the girls have ribbon from tiffany’s. we celebrate our 15th anniversary exactly one month after yours!!
I’m glad you had such a nice day. Had to laugh at your dramatic exit. The girls are beautiful with their ribbons.
You look great! ….yes, seven children, 15 years later!Congratulations!
Happy Anniversary!!! So glad you got to enjoy some time with your hubby…that’s so important every now and then! We went away for a weekend for our 17th last April and I tell you…I got to see my husband in a different light…with no work (and the internet didn’t work there!!!!!!!!!!!!) I got to see him RELAX and just BE. It was so wonderful!The ribbons are cute in the girlies hair:)
Awe sounds and looks like a lovely day. Glad you got to do that! How special. I was encouraged by your quote today.. “I have never liked working with a set schedule, I like to drift along according to my mood(s) and priorities at the time, but I am beginning to realize that having more of a predictable schedule will help our home life become more peaceful, less stressful. We are starting with a new morning routine, and after that is established and the kinks worked out, we will work on the rest of the day, too.” Ok your on baby #7 and I am working on #5….. I have a hard time with schedules too and flow as you.. but I am being forced more and more to do so with school and all those other responsibilities… thanks for the encouragement.. if you can do it… so can I 😉 Just needed that to hear! Love the last pix with Sarah and her bow!! So cute!B
Happy Anniversary! What a lovely day. May you share many, many more!
You are wonderfully blessed.You know that, yes?Such a day would never have been a possibility for us….I am happy for you.Treasure the memory of it.
I second totallycherished! You look fabulous! Happy Anniversary! How fun to get the necklace from Tiffany’s. Looks like you were walking around happy with your little blue bag. 🙂 Love your girlies with their ribbons!NYC is on my list of places I want to see! My mom and I were just talking that one of these years we are taking a road trip up that way. I think I’ll be sure to hit up a certain bakery when I do go. 😉
What a fun time! I’m glad you enjoyed being together and I hope you do stay committed to making sure you have more times together like that. It’s so important, all the more so when you have kids. I love you. Love, Lish
What a wonderful anniversary!!! SO glad you could have such a great time. I love your beautiful necklace, and that red velvet cheesecake sounded HEAVENLY. Drooool.
Oh Shanda, it sounds like you two had a fabulous time in the big city!! I smiled a lot while reading. What a blessing marriage is; a great gift from God! Happy anniversary!!! 🙂
What a delightful day in so many ways! So happy for you both. Congratulations, may the Lord bless you with many more days and years of happiness. I love that you had the time in travel to focus on one another ( and Sarah was such a good girl!) I love the picture of you two on the train looking soooo happy. And you look like a girl too, mother of seven! So special to have a nice lunch, Tiffanys!!, window shop, and scrumptious goodies to share together…all so romantic. And you threw in the humorous memorable moment with knocking over the champagne flute!! How sweet to remember the girls ribbons. Beautiful necklace too. I am glad your hubby cherishes you!
what a fantastic blessing of 15 years. how fantastic to be able to take moments like this together…and take the train to have moments to chat together. a gift from Tiffany and Co?!? that is fabulous..i love that you were able to get special ribbons for the girls. beautiful 😉
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!!! What a great way to celebrate!! It will be 15 years for us also next month!I found having a schedule for our school makes a world of difference!! And I am not a “scheduled” person either… but… children do so much better with a schedule!
Happy Anniversary!! I was in the city a few times last year and Magnolia Bakery is a definite favorite!
awww thats soo sweet and cute :] happy anniversary 😀
Awesome pictures! Looks like a great way to celebrate! and Congrats to you both!!!
Happy Anniversary!!! Sounds like a wonderful time! My husband and I celebrated our 15th anniversary this past June.
Happy Anniversary!! I am so happy that you two had a wonderful day together. how special. May God continue to bless your marriage and family.
Happy Anniversary! Congrats on 15 years together, what a blessing!The day in the city looks and sounded like it was fun.And that last picture of Sarah is absolutely adorable!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! Im the oldest of 7 and my parents are together 21 years now. You two have a beautiful family and Im glad couples like you and my parents still exist in the world that honestly love, respect and listen to each other no matter how busy things get. = ) many happy wishes for you all with many more exciting anniversary trips to come!
The joy you express brings tears (of joy) to my eyes. Happy Anniversary.
That is lovely, what an awesome anniversary you had! I’ve been wanting to go for a while myself, hopefully I can get Matt there sometime near the holidays. 🙂 Love all the pictures, especially the one of Sarah with her bow. ❤
Happy Anniversary!
Such a memorable trip. How wonderful. Happy Anniversary and many more.. And, you do not look as if you have had 7 children!!Congratulations!RosePetal
Happy Anniversary and congratulations on 15 years! You both look so young (well you are), I bet people thought you were new parents and Sarah your first child!You’ve been married FIVE TIMES as long as I have (and only 5 years older)! LOLYour new necklace is beautiful – I love small, dainty pieces like that.Good luck on your new schedule! I like schedules, but what I really love is routines. It’s nice to have a rough schedule (times) of when things will happen, and detailed routines of what will happen, in what order. I’d love to hear how things work out for you!
“I like to make dramatic exits like that.”hahaha that made me literally LOL :)Congratulations on 15 years!
Happy anniversary. Reading this made me smile. I dream of someday having times like this.
awwww! We were JUST in NYC a little over a month ago 🙂 Looking at your pictures brought back all my memories 🙂 Jason and I were able to go on a date all by ourselves b/c Jo watched the girls for us–>it was such a romantical treat 🙂
What a lovely day! It is so good to take time to talk and reconnect! I don’t have to wish you a happy anniversary, because it is clear that it was!
What a lovely anniversary! It sounds like a perfectly delightful day, every bit of it. Carl and I celebrated six years this July … fifteen doesn’t even seem possible, but it is fun to peer forward and imagine what it will be like!All the pictures were charming, but my favorite is of the three of you on the steps at Rockefeller Center. Baby Sarah’s feet sprawled out like that just made me giggle!Happy Anniversary!
How LOVELY!! I really enjoyed reading this post. The ones of you and your husband are such an encouragement to me, they really are. As I get closer and closer to being a wife myself, more and more I am looking to other women who have “been there, done that,” for a good example. I really appreciate your honesty in your blogging; you talk about your good days AND you bad days and struggles. It is wonderful to see such an example of a godly marriage and home. Thank you 🙂
After such a great day don’t you feel like you’ve had a long vacation alraidy ? Great idea to only take the baby: such a special moment in time. Van harte gefeliciteerd met jullie huwelijksdag. Congratulations on your weddingday.How wonderful to have spent the day for the citytrip !Lieve groetenGodeliva van Ariadone ps. “pretties” ? we call them : strikken …a ribbon in your hair is: een strik in je haar dragen ….Girls love them in all colours, when you safe them in pretty chocolate boxes ( after have eaten the chocolates hmmm ) …and then one day present them to them again when they are older, they experience most wonderful memories…I did, that is for sure…something sweet here for your anniversary
Sounds like a very special day!
AW!!!!!!!!!! Happy Anniversary Rich and Shanda!I loved the picture of you standing outside Tiffany’s holding your blue bag!The streets look surprisingly uncongested for NYC.
Happy Anniversary! Glad you got to get away and spend the day together. Blessings~
That’s really sweet…but I can’t get over that you brought your baby with you on your anniversary trip!
Happy (beleated) Anniversary!!!!! =D I’m glad that you guys had a wonderful day! I enjoyed the pictures. I hope it works out with the new schedule that you and your husband set up. God bless y’all. Have a wonderful weekend!
So glad you both had an awsome day~ Love ya cant wait to see your new jewels!