Our 20th Anniversary Vacation Rewind... Singapore 2000

It is hard to fathom...

that a complete 20 years has elapsed,

(but here we are) 

celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary

w/ a look back at some adventures/lessons

we have shared along the way

Welcome to our 20th Anniversary Vacation Rewind!

(with that said... yes, photos were analog)

-----------------------------------------------

The Gardner Family
"The Family w/ Teens"

Remembering back to the time
when it was just the two of us...

Los Angeles to Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei to Singapore
(approximately 1997 miles)

(which translates to 18 total HOURS of flight time)

Here are a few lessons we were forced to learn...

1. Date Honestly

When people "date" they often compromise more often
than they would normally on a daily basis

once you are married
and with someone

EVERY DAY

it becomes physically and emotionally draining if you are
constantly sacrificing your pleasure for the sake of your partner

be honest
speak up

and keep an open
heart and mind


2. Compromise must be balanced

EACH partner needs opportunities to do what calls to them and
hubby and I found out just how differently we approach adventure

when we traveled across the world together for the first time

he craves thrill...
she craves chill...

and the two very rarely
see eye-to-eye!

Which lead to the hardest (and still) most controversial lesson yet


3. It is okay to take separate excursions

Listen...

this is your first (and possibly only)
visit to these beautiful landscapes

be mature enough to make
decisions that please both partners

(for instance)

I wanted the...

National Orchid Garden
(while in Singapore)


click here

Riverboat Tour Singapore

and
Hubby wanted...

White Water Rafting
(while in Bali)

So we each got a day to do
what we wanted (guilt free)!

because
"Life is short"

so...

4. Do what makes you happy

then meet back up

to share a meal, watch the beautiful sunset, and
exchange stories about the adventures of the day

It's okay to...

5. Try something new

Hubby's first taste of Dragon Fruit

Singapore to Bali
(approx. 1037 miles)

We took a walk down 182 steps
to the hotel's private beach

and when we returned to our room,
a surprise package had been delivered

(courtesy of our trip coordinator)

Inside?

a bundle of fabric
with a note...

"Join us tomorrow night for an exotic culinary experience.
Use the fabric provided to create your own outfit"

which perhaps provided the greatest lesson of all...

6. Use what you have to create

something beautiful and unique

because...

Life and Love
are gifts from God

So get out there and enjoy them both!

(find more Family Adventures here)