1 year

It's hard to believe that one year has passed we said our "I dos".

A year of firsts is over, and we've [mostly] settled into married life.

We celebrated the milestone by heading to Palm Springs for a short weekend getaway.

California still gets me every time.

Shortly after headed east from SD, we hit the dry, dusty, rocky desert. (most of it wasn't even this green)

Then about 2 hours later, we emerge into this lush, green oasis!

i love the diversity of surroundings!

We stayed at Korakia Pensione, a hybrid Mediterranean Villa/Bed & Breakfast. The website describes this place as a retreat, which is the perfect word for our weekend.

There are no tvs, alarm clocks, technology (they did have very slow wifi, so we couldn't watch the world cup games, but we got over it). The grounds were beautiful, peaceful, serene.

We stayed on the Mediterranean side and felt like we stepped into another world (even though we were just a couple blocks off of Palm Springs main drag)

we stayed in the Acropolis Suite

Amazing stone tub with rain shower!

Later that afternoon we did a little shopping at the Desert outlet malls, where my husband bought his first J.Crew shirt. (he was pretty excited about that)

Then headed back for a relaxing evening in.

Because we opted out of cake at our wedding, we celebrated our anniversary with a honeymoon bottle of Chianti (from the Chianti region in Italy!)

YUM

Both days we had late lunches/early dinners and then settled in around 8 or 9 with wine/ champagne, cheese and fruit and chatted in the dim lamp light.

in the mornings, breakfast was served on this idyllic patio

we were early-birds and showed up at 8:30am for breakfast, but still needed to sit in the shade. it was at least 85 degrees already!

They served simple yummy breakfasts of french toast, and hashbrowns and eggs. (i was too hungry to take a photo of the food!)

Saturday morning, we decided to go for a short hike at Tahquitz canyon. It's a 2.5 mile trail with slight elevation that ends up at a 60 foot waterfall. it's pretty pricey to use the trail ($25) but since this was the only activity we did, it was worth it for us.

wading was allowed in the waterfall pool--and even thought it was ice cold, it felt delicious in the 100+ heat.

silhouettes

Then we stepped into the sun and a nice couple offered to take a photo

We spent the rest of the weekend lazing and loving it. Sun, books, a pool, and my lover.

could life be any better?

We needed at least 3 more days of this!

To my husband:

This year had been the biggest challenge, the best adventure, and the most fun I've ever had.

I love that you are in my present and future.

The new-found love tummy butterflies were sweet, but this feeling is infinitely better.

I'm so excited for the rest...

Happy Anniversary!