First Date Night Together

Between, moving-in and Oktoberfest we had been living together five days before we had a night, just he and I. So, Monday night was our night. The night was simple, but it was filled to the brim with love. I was so excited when he finally walked through the door in the evening. He came home with a bouquet of surprise flowers, what a great guy.

We decided it was just too nice of an evening to not go for a walk so we ventured out into our fun little neighborhood. Where we stumbled upon a little farmers market.

We then walked through the streets of new community, filled with big old homes and families going for evening walks. Yes, the picture is one of perfection.

When we got back to the apartment we cracked open a bottle of red and enjoyed being together (a far cry from our year of ill timed skype dates). Dinner was served and I must say, I impressed myself. Now, I am no Martha Stuart, but I do make a badass Greek stuffed chicken.

At the end of dinner we exchanged gifts (in our year apart we missed birthdays and our two year anniversary). We met in Moldova where we were both serving as Peace Corps volunteers (a two year program). He had only one year left in Moldova when we began dating and we decided that although I wasn't going to leave a year early, we wanted to stay together. During our year apart he was back in the US and I stayed behind in Moldova (finishing my full two+ years). It was a year of challenge for the both of us, but we saw it through. I was committed to finishing my service and staying with him and so we made it work. The peace dove represents both our Peace Corps service (a important chapter in both of our stories together and apart) and persevering through a year of long distance.  

The evening was perfect and I think we both wondered what we had done to find ourselves in a place of such happiness.

Cincinnati Oktoberfest Adventure

This past weekend, my first weekend in Cincinnati, Sam and I enjoyed Oktoberfest- Zinzinnati.

 The entire weekend turns into a giant street party in downtown Cincy. Beer stalls, food stalls, and entertainment stages line the street for the more than 500,000 people who attend each year to partake in the fun. Started in 1976 it has grown over the years and is now the largest Oktoberfest celebration in North America.

The crowds for Oktoberfest were no joke.

The weekend of events are all about having fun. And fun is exactly what was had. We drank, we ate, we danced (the chicken dance, with Star Treks George Takei), we sang ( and sometimes we did them all at once). I couldn't have asked for a more fun first weekend in the city. Here are just a few of the pictures from the weekend. 

Dressed to impress in his finest German garb.

The Tyler Davidson Fountain in the unofficial main square in downtown Cincinnati. ...She saw a lot that weekend.

Double fisting never looked so classy.

All smiles, all weekend.

 I would say it was a perfect way to be introduced to the city. And, it was a great way to kick-off our first of many new adventures together.

A Driving Adventure

Hitting the road early is always how we did road trips when I was growing up. So, when our 2 am wake up call came it meant it was time to pile in the car and hit the road. Driving out to Ohio wasn't too bad. We did it in a day. Now, I say 'we' very loosely because let's face it, my dad drove the entire way. I was a great... co-pilot?

Dad, driving. What a trooper!

Me, taking all the annoying pictures while my Dad drives. And, yes that is a George Foreman grill!

The drive was actually not bad. I always enjoy driving through Vermont (even if it is still dark outside). Upstate NY means only one thing, farms upon farms. But, finally we reached Ohio!

I need to chat with them about their state sign. I almost missed it completely. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I don't think this dinky sign accurately expresses entrance into a new state.

I knew we had hit the 'south' when we got to all the corn fields, the sky was bigger than we up in NH are used to seeing, and of course billboards.

Can't get much more southern than this. A big ole sign on the side of a huge barn advertising guns.

The big sky featuring some pretty epic cloud formations.

The road trip was a great success arriving safely in Cincinnati by dinner time. The excitement of finally getting to see my love, our apartment, and seeing his family and friends. Well, it was a great weekend. A great weekend, together.

Last Adventure in New Hampshire

Saying goodbye to the town I have called home for more than 20 years was a very nostalgic experience. Seeing the main square, the covered bridge, the church, the apple orchard, all the places that seemed so mundane when I was growing up were actually the places that helped shape me into the person I have become. Come, say farewell for now, with me.

The orchard

The church

The covered bridge

The general store

Hopkinton, the place I will always know as home

The following morning the car was packed, the radio was on, and my Dad and I woke in the wee hours of the morning to make the long drive to Ohio.

A New Adventure

Well, in exactly one week I will be embarking on my next adventure and moving out to Ohio. But, this adventure includes someone else. I have spent the past 2+ years in Moldova serving in the Peace Corps. While there, I met a guy.

This guy.

 How cliche, right?! But, my heart wants what it wants, and we have endured 14 months of long distance while I finished my service and he got back to life in the US. We both decided that at this point it makes the most sense for me to move out to Cincinnati and begin our adventure...together!

Although, we have already begun our adventure together. We met, in Moldova more than two years ago. We clicked early, he had been in Moldova for a year, and I was brand-new to the scene. It was early on in our relationship when I realized we had something pretty special. And, our first year together in Moldova was, for lack of a better word, magic!

Christmas in Balti, Moldova. The city 'it all began in'

Our time together has been packed with adventure. We both love to travel and have had the awesome opportunity of visiting six countries on four continents in our two years together. Take a peek, at the adventures we have been on abroad.

Our first international trip, Scotland.

After Sam finished his Peace Corps service we took an adventure that led us to Greece...

...and Turkey!

This past spring we met up between the distance of Moldova and the US, in Morocco.

Our adventures together have all been really amazing, but I am so excited to finally be able to see him everyday. To know that at the end of our adventures we won't have to say a tear-filled good bye at the airport, but rather say good night. I can't wait to find joy in the adventure of moving-in together and experiencing all the little details of life, together.

Who knows what adventures will follow. Setting up ikea furniture? Having a picnic in the local park? Dates to the zoo? Sunday's full of reading and tea? The adventures might not be crazy, but even the smallest of moments together will be an adventure.

So, stay tuned because in a week this New England girl is headed to her Ohio guy, and there are adventures to be had, together!