Goat Island ~ Newport, MA

"True love doesn't happen right away; 

it's an ever growing process. 

It develops after you've gone through many ups and downs,

when you've suffered together,

cried together

and laughed together."

Ricardo Montalban

Blue

This weekend Brian and I headed to Newport for a marriage retreat. 

We've been to many over the years ~ all a part of taking time for us. Making us a priority.

I love weekend get-aways!

Saturday I got up and took a nice long walk. 

There weren't many boats in the harbor, but this old weathered gal caught my eyes...

just think of all the ups and downs she's weathered. 

Beautiful old thing.

Orange

Along the water's edge there were thorny stems.

No leaves, flowers or obvious beauty. 

I'm like this stem sometimes. Prickly. In the ol' sweats. Not at my best.

But the seasons of life come and go,

and I've been well loved through them all.

Yellow 

Time shared with good friends is always a great part of these retreats.

Time to laugh...laugh at ourselves...

and share what we're learning about marriage...about life...about love.

And there was some really good food too!

Red

Here's our pretty hotel.

On Saturday afternoon,

Brian and I took a {doesn't-matter-how-long-it-takes} walk. 

Nothing like no schedule for a few days!

Aren't we cute?

Green

We're getting close to thirty years of marriage. To be able to say that we're more truly in love now than we've ever been is no small thing. Our guiding lights have been God, His words, our friends....good sense...and {thanks to my husband} LOTS of laughter!

Linking up with 

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

and sharing quotes over at

Fresh Mommy
and sharing scenes from my weekend at
Bigger Picture Blogs