Marriage: Our Honeymoon

Memories to Last a Lifetime
Written by e-Mom. Share on Facebook. Subscribe in a Reader

For several years after our wedding, e-Dad make a classic “fraudian”—but endearing—slip. Each year, when talking about our anniversary, he would substitute the word “honeymoon.” Somehow, when was it time to plan our annual October celebration, he always managed to get those two words confused.

No matter. I think it’s fun to remember our wedding by the events of our honeymoon vacation. Upon reflection, maybe e-Dad did that because it was his responsibility to plan our private trip, whereas it was my job to plan our public ceremony and reception. (OK, I finally got it!)

If you had a chance to watch any of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, you saw some outstanding video of my native Canada, and the hometown of my formative years. What a gorgeous natural playground! I spent many winter weekends skiing those same slopes, skating in the arenas around town, and boating in those cold, gray waters—happy habitat of the famous orca whales.

Since e-Dad is a native of Washington State south of the border (USA), he was eager to explore more of his new bride’s home province. We made plans to spend part of our honeymoon hiking and collecting driftwood on the misty remote beaches of Vancouver Island. Located west of the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver in the southwest corner of B.C., the island offers spectacular scenery that has inspired the art and lore of generations of First Nations aboriginal tribes such as the Nootka.

After our wedding reception, we caught the last super-ferry from the mainland to the island city of Nanaimo. Our final destination was Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park, the 15.5 mile stretch of coastline between the two towns of Tofino to the north and Ucluelet to the south. I remember enjoying the views of rugged wind-swept pines and endless sandbars surrounded by salt-water tide pools. One day, we also drove up to a wooded look-out, where we set up the camera on a tripod and snapped the picture below.

Fresh out of college, and short on cash, we had borrowed a van and some camping gear with the thought that we’d stay in public campgrounds as we traveled up and down the coast. That plan immediately went out the window! Instead, we booked a string of local motels that were more comfortable, and better suited to launching our brand new relationship in the bedroom. (What were we thinking?)

Reflecting back on those first few days of our honeymoon, I recall how startled I was to find a man in the bathroom sharing the sink with me. I also remember sitting contentedly in the passenger’s seat of that vacuous borrowed van. As I turned to look at my new husband bravely navigating that red GM beast along those old coastal roads, I felt a lovely inner warmth. I was aware that from that day forward, in some form or fashion, I would be in e-Dad’s company for the rest of my life.

The inner warmth I felt toward e-Dad then, continues right up to this very moment. As I turn my head to look at my husband now—thirty years later—I see he is still bravely navigating our marriage along the coastal roads of life. As the “wife of his youth,” I am content to let him lead us where we need to go, grateful for his manly strengths and perseverance. Our shared history is priceless, and would be impossible to duplicate with anyone else.

So, e-Dad, what are you planning for our “honeymoon” coming up this October?

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Photos: Kam's World (Flickr), wonder-jen (Google Images)

What's your honeymoon story?