Jeffrey's First Trip to Stowe

So since Jeff has been all around the country since our engagement, he hasn't been able to see our venue or our church. He's of course seen the website...but the website doesn't do the place justice.

Jeff was able to come home for New Years so we knew this would be the best, and the only time for him to see everything.


On New Years day we drove up to VT and spent some time with my family. Saturday morning we headed North to Stowe and at meet with one of our priests. Jeff & I are both Catholic. We of course both wanted to get married in the church and have a traditional Catholic ceremony. In order to get married in the Catholic church you need to complete 'marriage preparation courses' also know as "Pre Cana." Since Jeff's and my situation is different from most, we were able to take a more 'intense/shortened' version of the course. Some view these courses as a 'burden' or 'ridiculous' but that is because they just don't understand. In the Catholic church marriage is a sacrament you receive. It goes Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Death. (Wow pretty crazy I'm going to receive the second to last sacrament...and I really don't want the last one for a VERY long time!!) So since its a sacrament, the church wants to do everything possible to make sure that your marriage is a success and it won't end in divorce. I value what the church believes in and it further strengthens my beliefs that marriage is a serious step, and those who have ANY doubts or are obviously getting married for the wrong reasons should perhaps think about it more deeply...

Anyways- in short - our course went well. We both really enjoyed it. Even though Jeff and I have one of the most open and honest relationships ever, it still made us think about things and talk about things that we ordinarily wouldn't. We were both pleased when we were exactly on the same page for basically everything.

So marriage preparation done!

After we made our way up the mountain to the Stowe Mountain Lodge. Driving the path from the church to the SML gave me goosebumps because I realized the next time Jeff and I took that drive....we will be husband and wife. What an amazing feeling that was. I was pretty anxious to approach the SML because it was such a huge moment. I knew Jeff would absolutely adore it but I was still nervous nonetheless.

It was a success! Jeff was speechless. He loved it. He loved the atmosphere, the simple elegance, the service, everything! I gave him a quick tour of the resort, showed him the ballroom, the spa, where the cocktail reception was going to be etc. It was so much fun.

For dinner my parents met us at the SML. I was so glad we were able to take Jeff to dinner there so he could experience the amazing quality of the food.

The chef came out and greeted us again, and Jeff was really impressed with that. The chef also brought out some things for us to try and recommended what was good on the menu. His taste was a little to 'fancy' for me...he recommended the 'fogra'....I'm a simple chicken girl.

We had a fabulous meal, and left full and happy.

Leaving the SML I had a huge smile on my face. It was such an amazing night. And the next time Jeff & I will be there together we will be celebrating our love, our newly minted marriage, and the rest of our lives together with all our closest family and friends!

(I have no idea why this post didn't post when I wrote it! My bad!)