My husband is wonderful! December 20, 2008 was the beginning of something beautiful…
a life with Travis Orson Tolman.
We have completely enjoyed the last three years of marriage and
love knowing we will be together forever.
Top 10 Reasons “I Love You”
1. Christ comes first in your life.
2. You make me feel lucky to be a part of your life.
3. I’m a better person when I’m with you.
4. You’re an amazing Father.
5. You dream big.
6. You tell me I’m gorgeous and absolutely perfect for you.
7. I feel complete, peaceful, safe, and loved by you.
8. You keep me guessing and are always full of surprises.
9. You make me laugh everyday.
10. You planned a 5-day surprise anniversary trip 6 months in advance.
I love you Travis Orson…
Brittany
Reason #10...
Ever since August I've been telling Trav I wanted a nice get-away anniversary trip. I was dreaming of 4-star hotels, fine dining, and of course the beach (my favorite vacation spot). However, he kept telling me money was an issue and I shouldn't expect anything big. So, I have been prepping myself since then for a low-key, possible at-home anniversary. Little did I know, he was already planning a 5-day get-away surprise trip!
Last Monday, Keith took me on a lunch date to a Mexican restaurant I've been wanting to try, Milagros (the verdict: amazing, unique flavors!). I thought he was just dying to spend time with his favorite sister but secretly he was allowing Travis time to pack for his surprise anniversary trip! Once at the Tolman's, Travis asked Sheri (his Momma) if she would watch Annabelle while we ran errands (what Grandmother would say no, and Miss Annabelle loves it over there). So, without a second thought we left. If I would have known I would be gone for the next five days I would have given my baby girl a much bigger hug and kiss!
On the way out, Travis told me we were going to a fancy, surprise place for dinner. On our way to his "surprise dinner" we stopped by our place to pick up Savannah's package (post to come on our new, adorable niece!). Travis wouldn't let me come in because he said he had a "surprise" set-up for when we got back from dinner. However, after I refused to use a gas station bathroom he finally led me blind-folded into the house. I found out later this secret "surprise" was a ridiculously messy house from him packing... very clever. Clue #1
Once we were back in the car, Travis handed me my first clue.... "Let's go to a place we've always wanted to go... Just hope that we can get through the snow! I ask for your patience with the blindfold... for a great surprise is about to unfold!" My first guess was we were going to the "Melting Pot," a fondue restaurant we've been wanting to try. I couldn't have been more wrong...
After driving for FOUR hours Travis couldn't stand it any longer. He stopped, I took off my blindfold and we're sitting in a Wendy's drive-thru. Wendy's was definitely not the food I'd been dreaming of. I kind of half-laughed, praying it was a joke, and then he gave me my second clue...
Clue #2
VEGAS! I was so excited to realize we weren't driving all the way back for his "surprise" at home AND we would be alone for Five days!
Side Note: Travis' co-workers knew every detail of his plan and made bets on how long I would last on the car ride before demanding to know where we were going. Some said two hours, one hour, and even 30 minutes! (I'm not that impatient...) But, I've learned from past experience not to "ruin" Travis' surprises or make them more extravagant than he planned, so I kept my mouth shut. I wondered the whole way there about his surprise back home, asked him four times if he for sure had work the next day, and was secretly dreading driving back that night. Lucky for me his plan was much bigger than I imaged!
Clue #3
This clue scared me... Travis packed my bags for five days?! Don't worry, it gets worse... He then handed me a small American Eagle bag and said, "Everything you need is in this bag." I opened it (very worried at this point) and pulled out some red & black lingerie... I am now terrified! I know we're on our anniversary but have to go out in public sometime! I couldn't believe that was it and luckily discovered something hidden under the bottom cardboard... a gift card for a shopping spree! I'm feeling much better at this point and found out later he did indeed pack (quite a bit) for me...
He packed a ton! Instead of packing a bag, he simply brought two bathroom buckets, about 15 pairs of shoes, our wedding clothes (just in case), and so much more!
After a scrumptious Wendy's meal, and more driving, we arrived in Vegas pretty late. Travis planned a romantic evening complete with a fireplace, Sangria in wine glasses, R&B music, rose pedals on the floor, and... The next morning Trav woke me up with his fourth & final clue.
Clue #4
The website bit.ly/nextstop4us was a coverup url name for pictures of beautiful Oceanside, California. At first I thought he was just being sweet and showing me pictures of my "beach" but after he convinced me we were really going I was ecstatic! So, after enduring a painful sales pitch to get a $100 gift card and a stop at FatBurger, we were off to Southern California.
We shared the XL burger... I can't believe people actually eat the entire thing by themselves!
Southern California
-IHOP breakfast
-Walk on the beach
-Oceanside Pier (longest wooden pier on the West Coast/ 1,954 ft.)
-Anniversary dinner at a bar (recommendation from the hotel attendant for the best fish tacos around)
-Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol (a must-see!)
-Shopping at Carlsbad Premium Outlets
-Watched the sunset & grabbed a peanut butter Oreo milkshake
-San Diego Segway tour...(a blast)
-Hot Tub every night
Beautiful California Sunset
First sighting of the Pacific Ocean
IHOP: Pumpkin Praline Pancakes w/ Gingerbread hot chocolate... Delicious!
Oceanside Pier
Travis bought a Groupon to ride this bicycle on water but didn't know they were only open on weekends! Bummer...
Shopping spree
Waiting for our Milkshakes
We were so tired of eating out we thought frozen lasagna was homemade!
(Sadly, we discovered our "full" kitchen didn't have an oven! So, the microwave had to do.)
Mohawk helmets!
We're feeling like Paul Blart at this point;)
Historic downtown San Diego
Padres Baseball field
This historic building became part of the Padres stadium, complete with box seats and a top floor restaurant.
"Unconditional Surrender"
This sculpture is a replica of the famous picture taken in Times Square after World Ward II ended. The nurse was engaged to her husband when this happened and waited until after he died until she came forward saying she was the woman in the picture. Her name was Edith Shain. The editors of Life magazine then asked the kissing soldier to come forward. 1,100 men came forward claiming to be him and 11 passed the polygraph test. I guess she was kissing more than one soldier that day!
Travis & Mary
Beautiful architecture... everything was hand-carved!
The World's Largest Outdoor Organ
The financial donor had a passion for music and wanted everyone to enjoy the beautiful instrument. Every Sunday evening, organ concerts are open to the public.
The building behind us is made entirely from Redwoods
Back to Vegas
My "fine dining" wish was granted... dinner at Ferraro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
Happy 3 Years Travis!
Brittany
