Category Archives: Just Us

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My Greece. My wish.

It truly has been an amazing surprise birthday gift while celebrating our 16th anniversary a little early. We explored the Greek Island Kefalonia where we stayed for the first part of our trip. The beaches were breathtakingly stunning. We drove and visited towns along the island. 

Blue water layering color beaches with mountains as backdrops, some had towns in the distance, and some your view was different shades of the perfect blues I’ve ever seen. 

Too many beaches to name but our favorites were Makris Gialos and the most beautiful beach yet was Myrtos. You can find the Myrtos Cave located on the beach and it’s easy to walk and swim through. The sun peaking through the cave allowed the blues of the water to light up in the most mystical way. This was the first Blue Cave we experienced in Greece. The next two were Drogarati and Melissani Caves. 

Drogarati Cave which was discovered over 300 years ago when a strong earthquake caused a collapse that revealed the cave’s entrance. The formations of stalactites and stalagmites are truly remarkable and definitely worth walking through. The limestone felt cold and wet to the touch. 

Finally but not least, one of the most visited is the Melissani Cave. “The roof of one of the halls caved in centuries ago, letting sunlight filter in. When the sun is right overhead at noon, the sunlight hitting the turquoise blue waters creates a magical illusion and the whole Cave of Melissani suddenly feels lit with blue light.”

Myth has it that the cave was named after the nymph Melissanthi who committed suicide by jumping from the top into the cave because God Pan did not reciprocate her love. Aw, love can make you do some crazy things. 

In the past you were also able to walk up the steep hidden path leading up to the cave overhead to view the cave from above. I was told it was the most amazing view to see the lit up electric blue waters and formations from the top looking in. Sadly, a person decided it would be a good idea to jump off the top into the cave and ruin it for the rest as it will be permanently closed from above viewing. Maybe in time that will change but for now it stands.

The towns filled with colors, from homes to flowers, winding tiny roads, and the love of a community are always appealing in their own way.  

I’m always amazed and humbled by the towns we see and the people that welcome us. Being a part of their culture and town for just a day does something for your soul. The kindness we received and the welcoming into family owned restaurants as if we too were part of the family will always be carried in my heart. 

From towns like ​​Argostoli, Fiscarko, Assos, Sami, and more. We’ve visited a few. 

We ended our last night in Kefalonia at the Olive Lounge Restaurant & Bar at St. Georges Castle in Argostoli. This family owned most enchanting place was truly magical. From the atmosphere, gazing views of the town and water, location, and staff, not to forget the owner’s special attention to each guest blew me away. Each item we ordered was a burst of flavor and colors in your mouth. The meals were like no other but the owner Liana who shows genuine gratitude and love made the last night in Kefalonia complete. We met her sister Maria Tsimbourla who was just as lovely and had her contemporary artwork displayed throughout the restaurant. They are two of the nicest, kindest, humbled women you will meet. 

As our first part of the trip has ended and the next just beginning I will be taking all the love, electric blues of the beaches, and the memories we made with us. 

And now the ferry. My fear of being on a ferry for more than 30 minutes was getting stronger as the departure time was growing near. It was our way to travel from Kefalonia to Zakynthos. A special ferry to carry our luggages to the next island took about 4 hours. I hate to admit this but my stomach was turning from nerves and my anxiousness was on high alert as we pulled away from the island and into the amazing blue waters. As the motor picked up I looked into the water and felt the cool mist hit my face. My body began to relax. Seeing things all around me from a pirate boat, yachts, sailboats, and the amazing island shapes around us, relaxed me even more. I was taking it all in and remembering that soon we would be on land to enjoy another island. 

As our next destination came into view the excitement hit me all over again and I forgot the fear I felt in the beginning. It was beautiful and I knew this would be another memorable experience. Making our way off the ferry we were immediately greeted by our express rental car contact. She was lovely and the process went seamlessly. Keys in hand and we were off to Lesante, our next home for a short while. 

From the moment we walked through the doors the warm welcome and kindness engulfed us. I knew this was going to be another memorable place and it was. The beauty that surrounded us on this trip could not be put into words just felt and seen. 

Our room was surrounded by a vineyard. Gardens growing their own fruits and vegetables for serving and meals. We were surrounded by life all around us. It was a magical property. 

Right before our time in Greece ended we were able to experience the island and beaches from a different angle, the water. That’s right, I said it. We saw the island in all its glory from the water. This time I wasn’t as frightened. I knew this was the only way to check off items from my bucket list. 

We were able to see the electric blue light from beneath the water in the caves. One cave had the biggest clams I’ve ever seen. From there the boat picked up speed. Cool blue water softly sprayed our face and cooled us as we made our way to Shipwreck Beach known as Navagio Beach. This was a big check off my list and I was super excited.

This is an exposed cove, which is also referred to as “Smugglers Cove,” on the coast of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Islands of Greece. 

Story goes that the ship was carrying contraband heading from Turkey for Italy when a storm hit. The ship’s engine blew and the visibility was almost nonexistent. While the ship ran aground in the cove, the crew abandoned her to evade arrests and punshipment from the Navy. The only way to visit Shipwreck Beach is by boat. 

As we moved away from Shipwreck our driver Leo brought us to a secluded little beach of our own. We jumped off the boat into the water and enjoyed a swim as the boat anchored until we were done. We swam to the beach to explore a bit before swimming back to our boat. Anchors pulled up and the motor began. The cool blues splashed us again which made my cheeks tingle and I couldn’t help but smile. Once we were further in the deep the motor turned off and we coasted for a while. I looked out and couldn’t believe the beauty around me. The sun was blistering but the breeze off the water made it just perfect. The warmth on my face and the beauty that surrounded us couldn’t have made that moment any more remarkable but then I looked to my left, and there he was. The man that made this all possible. My life’s partner. My soulmate. I couldn’t believe we were there. 

It was one of my wishlist gifts. What a way to celebrate my 50th. What a way to celebrate us soon to be 16 years married. 

This island exploration was coming to an end and we had to say our goodbyes. Although a goodbye was in order, what we experienced here will forever be with us as we continue our journey. 

I do believe a little part of me remains in the blue caves and a little all around the islands. That’s my way of always staying close. 

Ευχαριστώ και αντίο Ελλάδα!

One last surprise before we returned home. A quick stop in London. With our plane connecting in London but it was going to be too long of a wait. Asher decided one more surprise was in order. I knew we were staying over but didn’t know what the rest of the surprise would be until the taxi pulled in front of the hotel and I was let out of the taxi. At first I hadn’t noticed where exactly we were until I looked down at the welcoming mat and immediately popped my head up to the front of the building. I was in such a surprise I couldn’t believe it. I immediately turned to Asher with the biggest smile on my face while my eyes sparkled with excitement. 

We were staying at The Cadogan in London. 

You may be thinking it’s just another hotel and in fact it is to most but to me it’s a bit more. 

A short story, if I am capable of that. 

Many years ago before my twins were born I worked for a hedge fund in the city for quite a very long time. When we opened an office in London, anyone who flew there stayed at The Cadogan. I stayed there a few times when I was in London on business. But sadly Asher and I were never in London at the same time. I was unhappy the last time I stayed at The Cadogan because my stay had to be extended and I was sad to be away even longer. I remember that day with my eyes tightly closed, I wished that he would be there with me. I thought my wish would never come true until now. 

He actually made it possible for us to be in London at the same time and together at The Cadogan. 

The Cadogan. I couldn’t believe it. Here we were standing in the lobby of the hotel sharing our story with the front staff. Sharing our memories of the hotel but sad all the best features were no longer there. During Covid the hotel shut down and was purchased by Louis Vuitton and renovated. The one of a kind oldest round elevator that stood in the middle of the lobby was gone. 

Things definitely changed but the feeling I felt looking around the lobby and finding the man I promised to love for the rest of my life remained the same. The love I felt for him at that moment will be the imprint in my heart that I needed. 

He did all of this for me. He researched. He peaked at my Greece wishlist. He made many of my wishes come true. He did all of it to make my 50th birthday the most memorable birthday I will ever experience. He made it a memory not for the fear I felt of turning 50 but for the beautiful loving moments that lead me here. Lead us here. 

Now that is what 50 looks like to me.

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Goodbye 2022!

As 2022 comes to an end I wanted to take this time to thank all those in my life that have been there. Those that, no matter what life throws our way, make time to check in. I want to thank my amazing small circle, just knowing they are there helps me breathe easy and allows me to smile. No matter the time that passes in which we don’t talk or see each other, I know they are there and that’s what matters.
This year as many years in the past had its ups and downs. I’m thankful that we got through any of our downs. I know they are still coming but focusing on the good and learning from the bad keeps us strong.
I wish I had more time in a day to see all those that mean so much to me, but as life takes us on different journeys we miss opportunities but we gain hope and love that we will find a path that leads us together.
We’ve had loss and new blessings with each birth that blessed us. Through tears of sadness then tears of joy, we experience it all. Sometimes together or sometimes alone in silence.
There are so many things I would like to express but there’s not enough time nor space so I will leave it here. Get ready to begin a new year.
Here’s to hoping we continue our search. Continue our path to life with all its emotions. We are here now so let’s celebrate all that we have and all we can share.

In the past few weeks I was able to see family and in just the past few days shared new adventures with Giovanni and Isannah like I did when they were small. And the best part is we got to share some of those memorable moments with some of the best people in our life.
Thank you! Thank you 2022 for opening my eyes to things I was missing. For helping me get a little stronger and for teaching me that things will pass and do.

To all those who added a little something on my journey, thank you! You know who you are and I am blessed I have an amazing support system.

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Before school mornings

Why do some mornings have to be so hard? 

I don’t like waking up in the mornings. Heck, I get up before my alarm to check my clock only to see how much more time I have left to sleep. That drives me nuts. I wish I had cute little birds fly in and grab my clothing and help me dress as I make my way out the bedroom door. Feeling the soft breeze of their feathers flying happily all around me bringing me hope for a new day to begin.I smile as I make my way to the kids room and thank God for allowing me another day.

I wake the kids with little morning kisses and make my way downstairs to begin breakfast. I’m already preparing myself for the day that lies ahead. Kids come down and everything is going smoothly until that one sarcastic remark or the bickering over foolish reasons at the breakfast table begins. I’m thankful that the birds are not really circling around me singing their songs because I probably would have wacked them out of my way while trying to stay calm.  

See my problem is I never learned a technique to calm myself and if I am in that moment and you are trying to calm me, that just aggravates the situation further and has the opposite effect of calming me. So, let’s just say I’m still learning to find “my zen.” 

Now back to the morning, the explanations about who said what, and who started or who is really at fault begins. It goes on and on and my mood gets worse and worse. It’s no longer fun, happy and calm. It’s the discussions, possibly raised voices, and explanations of how we got here. When all I want to do is calm myself and tell them how much I love them and just solve it all but I can’t. As I am reaching in the opposite way that I would like, I see it all going down and although in the back of my mind, like way way back, I see the other scenario and how well it plays out, that’s not what is currently happening. Instead it’s like adding fuel to the fire. My raised voice and warnings, taking away electronics or anything I could think of at that moment. 

Then after it all blows up and I step back in the kitchen to begin preparing their school lunch, my mind is still rolling. I need to step out of myself for a moment and just think about other ways to quiet the emotions that are surrounding us. I can feel another lesson coming out  but at the same time hope the responses are good because I don’t want to start these feelings all over again. 

I begin to talk about better ways we could say things. How we need to think about what we are going to say, how we say it and how it will affect the person we are saying it to. Did we need to say that even though we knew it would be hurtful? If we are just saying things because we know it will hurt someone then it shouldn’t be said at all. 

We need to look around at all we have and all we are able to share. We are sitting at a table with food to nourish our body and we are doing it all in a home with family. A place of love and warmth no matter our moods.

Food is finished, dishes are put away and kids are getting dressed to head out the door. As we are walking my mind keeps going back to the morning events getting us here. How I should’ve responded? How can I let things get me so upset when all I want to do is hold them? 

I look at the kids walking in front of me and my mind plays tricks on me. I see them as they are toddlers looking back at me smiling to make sure I’m still here. I hear their giggles and see their missing teeth smile and all I can do is smile. 

How can these two kids in front of me be this tall? How are they 11 already? This is all happening too quickly and I don’t want to waste a single moment being mad. I feel like Giovanni felt what I was feeling because at that moment he turned around and said, “mommy, I’m sorry about this morning.” I just melted. Funny, he didn’t have anything to apologize for and yet he was the one that did. 

He rushed ahead because he never wants to be late. While Isannah and I walked together in silence. That’s how it goes sometimes and that’s ok. 

I wished them a wonderful day at school and went on my way home. This moment will affect everything I do up until I pick them up from school hoping for a redo.

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Neighbors who are family

Traditions bring calm, joy and feel like a big hug of love surrounding you. We were lucky to begin a new tradition once Giovanni and Isannah were well enough and at home to be a part of it. Every Christmas Eve, thanks to our beautiful friends/neighbors/family really, they began coming over to our house with their youngest son to exchange presents for the little ones. We got to share hugs and conversation. It was the best having them in our home which allowed me to begin another tradition of taking pictures with the kids together and with the Falcone’s together. That made me so happy to be able to capture those moments. Each year this happened even when they welcomed their daughter who joined the tradition with us. The tradition continued for all the kids up until their son who started it all with us got older. He was 10 years or so and stopped coming but the tradition continued even through COVID. Although not inside our home or by our Christmas tree we still meet outside. The feeling is still the same because we get to share the joy of giving and the love of friends. 

Now my kids are turning 11 years old, about the age that their son was when he stopped joining. I’m hoping that no matter the age or the years that pass this tradition carries on. Maybe not with exchanging gifts but with the love of friendship that has grown stronger as each year passes. The fondness of friends that are now our family. 

Right now they play outside when it’s warm and even when it’s cold. They laugh, they scream, they get out of control but they still play together and I love hearing and knowing they are there. 

Giovanni and Isannah will start middle school next year but I hope the friendship they each developed through the years will be remembered always no matter the years that pass by. Maybe they won’t be playing on the streets all together like they do now but the respect and love will always be there. 

Until the ages start to show, I will enjoy every moment that we have now.  

My heart is so happy that the friend I met in elementary school is still a constant in my life. She gifted all of this to me and my family and I am forever grateful.

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Christmas is here

The anticipation and excitement leading up to Christmas was all worth it to see their faces come Christmas morning.

It all started when the Elves Clementine and Michael returned for their daily surprises and mischiefs. From hanging on the chandelier to hiding in the rolls of wrapping paper. Then hanging on Santa’s chair in the window display and so much more. They brought some ugly sweater cookies to design on Ugly Sweater Day at school and chocolate lollipops to enjoy. It was all fun and games until the night Giovanni and Isannah had to say their good-byes to Clementine and Michael until the next year.

Then all of the sudden this happened: When the kids woke up on Christmas Day the elves were still here. Hiding in our Christmas tree with a note they wrote. The kids were older now and could take care of their elves so instead of flying back to the North Pole they let their magic go with Santa and stayed behind to enjoy with Giovanni and Isannah. It was time to share their magic with younger kids starting the excitement of the Elf on the Shelf. Although the kids were sad that the elves lost their magic they already created beds and rooms for Clementine and Michael in our home.

It was a magical Christmas but what made it more special is that we got to share it with family. We hope that the magic of Christmas lives on in your home and that the love of this holiday season is able to carry you along into the new year.

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Dedicated to you. To love. To us.

And here we are, year 13. Celebrating all the moments that brought us here.

Through good and bad, happy and sad, we’ve had them all and will continue to grow strong. You are the first person I think of when anything happens to me, good or bad. You are the one that I want by my side and need to keep my head above water. You’re the one that makes me smile and sometimes makes me cry but you are the one that I want and always will. I can’t imagine a day without you with me and I never want to. I can’t do any of this without you.

When you gently place your hand on my knee while we are driving or hold my hand just because you may not see it or know but my body melts and my heart is whole. When I look over and see you there no matter where we are or what craziness is going on in our lives I know I’m safe because you are right there. I wish you could see through my eyes and know just how happy, secure and loved you make me feel. Until then all I can do is remind you every day just how much you are loved. You are needed and you are all of me but most importantly the best part of me.

Thank you for loving me with all my many faults. Thank you for giving of you to me and thank you for not giving up on me, on us.

Happy 13 and to many more of this. All of it, you and me, where we started and where we will end. Our love story. 08.10.2008

Thank you, my love. Happy Anniversary ❤