I cannot believe Nick and I have been married for a year already. Maybe it was all the changes of the past year, but this year has flown by. I’m sure so many people feel that way – life moves fast in general – but how is it already almost May?
Up until about two weeks ago, we had zero plans of our anniversary. And quite honestly, I think the both of us kind of forgot. I mean, we eventually remembered, but the end of April snuck up on us. So here we are!
Our wedding day wasn’t perfect. But it was the best day of my life so far. And things that weren’t perfect I just didn’t care about. And even things that I did care about that weren’t perfect, I didn’t care about on the day of my wedding. I’ve never felt that amount of happy and complete joy in my life. All your people in one place is the absolute best.
I’ve shared a bit here and there about my experience of marriage. The fact that it is/was hard and that I know pretty much nothing about marriage. And now that I’m a year in, I might know like 10% more than when I started. I’ve got a lot to learn. But I do know that it’s worth it and when it’s hard, I’m glad it’s hard with Nick. That was a cheeseball statement, but it’s true.
Between the move to Boston and just learning how we work best together, marriage is much less bumpy than it was in those beginning months. That feels good. Nick and I are really different so learning to work with each other instead of against each other was hard and took a lot of time. I think it’s probably hard and takes a lot of time for many people. I remember feeling bad or like I was doing something wrong when people would ask, “How’s marriage? Isn’t that first year just the best!” and I was like, “What? Nooooooo. This is nothing like I expected.” Nick agrees with me. So I guess if it feels like nothing you expected too…you’re not alone. But it does get better and looking back, I’m so thankful for that first year.
When we realized our anniversary was in 2 weeks we thought about where we wanted to go that would be easy on the wallet. We wanted to do a weekend trip somewhere that was a short drive from Boston. Our friends parents have a gorgeous house in the back woods of Vermont, but since they are opening a business and have family in Florida, they’ve been living down there for the past several months. They had graciously offered their house to stay at when we wanted a weekend away a few months back so we decided that would be a quiet, relaxing place to stay. Thank you to the Amatos!
They live about 20 minutes outside of Woodstock and the nearest grocery store is 30 minutes away. Perfect for a restful weekend that was the opposite of being in a city. We turned our phones on airplane mode for the weekend and completely unplugged. It was glorious. It’s Monday morning as I type this post so I’m going to let the pictures in this post speak as brief recap of our weekend away.
Sandwiches + this double chocolate chip cookie from Flour on our drive up Friday afternoon.
Dinner at Jesse’s Tavern on Friday night. The fried buffalo brussels and cauliflower were my favorite part. We shared French onion soup, Caesar salad with salmon and fish and chips.
And then ate a Flour strawberry lemon cupcake before bed.
I read and sat by the fire each morning for a long time. Glorious.
French toast + yogurt for breakfast on Saturday.
We hiked to the top of Mt. Tom.
And then had lunch at Worthy Kitchen. Salad + the Worthy burger + fries.
And an IPA. The weather was gorgeous.
Then we explored Woodstock.
And ate Vermont maple walnut ice cream.
Saturday dinner at Thyme – a cheese board, truffle fries (holy tastiness), artichoke croquettes, beet salad and sunflower crusted cod.
I slept for 9-10 hours every night. That was amazing.
And woke up to the prettiest views. The Amato master bedroom is goals.
And we wrapped up with lunch at King Arthur Flour on our way out. Turkey + smoked gouda + apple + mustard aioli sandwiches with butternut squash soup.
How was your weekend?
Thank you for your honesty! My hubby and I have been married almost 2 years (what?!?) and I can completely relate. Marriage is messy and hard (especially the first couple months), but there’s no one else I’d rather go through this messy journey with than my husband. Your weekend away sounds amazing!!
The truffles fries really are incredible! Glad you found them!!
How lovely that your friend’s parents lent you their home. What a gift! Gives you $$ to spend on yummy food which is the best. Our first year was tough too. Therapy is awesome. We’ve been in and out lots and it’s made us a better couple. 🙂 Happy anniversary!!
Congrats on one year of marriage! Y’all are so lucky you know so many people who have places in such beautiful places. My husband and I love Vermont- it’s very peaceful. Glad to see y’all had a wonderful weekend : )
Aww happy anniversary!! That sounds like an amazing weekend, and omg I NEED to visit Vermont; I feel like I would fall in love with it. Also, I have to say that I really appreciate your total honesty and openness regarding marriage. It is definitely NOT easy, and though I’m not even close to being ready for that journey, it’s good to know that a successful marriage is not all rainbows and perfection. I think what makes it good is actually the trials and tribulations that bring you closer to your partner.
This weekend I took a trip to Charlottesville with some friends, which was AMAZING (I’ve been wanting to go since a few years back when I first started reading your blog haha.) It was the perfect respite from the busy finals season and a great chance for some adventure. Have a great week, Robyn!
Happy Anniversary!! And just to repeat what you’ve said here… I’ve been married for 10 years this year and can definitely tell you it is SO HARD. Our first year was hard, too. We have had years of smooth sailing and definitely some years where I wondered how in the world we were going to make it. But I can tell you, here in year 10, there is no one else I would have rather taken this journey with. My hubby agrees with me and we both agree there’s no way we would ever want to make this journey again with anyone else! I always think of that Runaway Bride proposal, where Richard Gere says to Julia Roberts, ““Look, I guarantee there’ll be tough times. I guarantee that at some point, one or both of us is gonna want to get out of this thing.” I just love that line, because it’s so true and I think many people go into marriage with high expectations based off of a lot of “happily ever after’s” we’ve seen on tv. Life is life, and sometimes it’s REALLY hard. Marriage is about finding someone to go with you through those hard times, and to be able to go through it with them when they have their own. <3
happy anniversary you guys! sounds like a perfect getaway 🙂
Happy Anniversary! We just celebrated our 10th anniversary on April 21. Marriage is so hard and it’s important to remember that it’s hard for everyone. People who say they never fight must be lying or incredibly chill or oblivious! Sometimes just the sound of my husband chewing food can send me over the edge! Good times and bad times will ebb and flow, but marriage will get most definitely get harder again if/when you have kids. Just keep communicating. Once you stop talking to each other, it’s hard to start again.
Happy Anniversary, and thanks for sharing your honest thoughts! It looks like you had a wonderful get-away and here’s to love and having someone to figure it out with!
Happy anniversary! Looks like the coziest weekend – IPA + burger after a hike sounds glorious!
Congratulations, you two!! Vermont is just the best, and YAY for maple ice cream. [insert all the praise hands here]
Happy anniversary! Your photos are beautiful. It looks like you two had a lovely time!
I was with my husband for nine years before we got married and we had already lived together for a few years prior to that so that first year of marriage wasn’t a big change for us. But having our first baby really made things challenging! I think during the many seasons of marriage our identities, needs and priorities change and it becomes all about relearning how to relate to one another.
I know my husband and I were meant to be together when we can be stuck in the same car for days on a road trip and still find things to say to each other! We can have fun anywhere.
I’m so thankful that you don’t sugar coat it Robyn and that you both love each other so much; I can see Jesus working in your marriage. And this weekend looks so lovely and simple; I find the most refreshing weekends are spent off of social media soaking in time with family, good food, the outdoors, and wow you found some gorgeous views there. I LOVE how you and Nick always find ways to make things super special in a simple way.
Happy anniversary! I’ve spent this past weekend in Madrid, Spain, which has been a wonderful experience. It’s also tested my intuitive eating for sure. My eating schedule has been completely thrown off, and I’m indulging in foods that are definitely out of my comfort zone, but I can’t help but enjoy and relish in how great it feels to enjoy these foreign foods without guilt and in full freedom. Traveling has changed my relationship towards food. I’ve noticed how, generally speaking, many Europeans seem to have a different relationship with food than most Americans. They eat soooo slow and indulge in moderation. It has inspired me to really want to start connecting more with the foods I eat! Just some thoughts from this weekend 🙂
How gorgeous is Woodstock! I love Vermont, definitely visit Stowe if you can too as that is just beyond beautiful! And yes to how hard marriage is – no one tells you that but thanks for being real and genuine!