Simple and Serene
Cruise ships are by nature romantic places. Maybe it's the constant ocean view, sunsets, moonlight and stars. Maybe it's the relaxed atmosphere. Or perhaps it's the slight rocking that gets a lot of people thinking about love. Taking a break from the everyday rhythm of life, in and of itself, provides many mental and emotional benefits wherever one decides to vacation, but the environment of a luxury cruise ship, and all the amenities it has to offer, provides a true chance to center and collect oneself before heading back to the daily grind of riding the waves of the pace and responsibilities of ones life and family.
The chance recently to experience a Caribbean vacation on the world's newest and largest cruise ship was a perfect way to celebrate their 10th anniversary - 10 beautiful years - 10 love filled years - 10 amazing years. - 10 years of learning about each other, loving each other, supporting each other, bracing for the bad, and embracing the good.
The day of embarkment was the day of their 10th anniversary - ten years had seemed so far away and yet, here it was. As they stood on the balcony of their cabin, photographing the vastness of the deep blue ocean, she reflected back, wishing that she could say that they were the perfect couple, but like all relationships, they had had their good times and hard times. They have friends who tell them that they see them as the perfect couple, the couple to watch, the couple to pattern communication after, the couple who sets an example for others. She wished that she could agree, but knew that they really were just like most other couples - they struggle, there is miscommunication, stubborn streaks, mood highs and lows and sometimes a sense of dread - and, yes, there had been days when they wondered if they were going to make it. And realistically, she knew that a cruise, while an ideal way to enjoy each other in a relaxed, romantic environment, was not a real life thermometer or forever fix to make any relationship perfect. They had learned a lot in the past 10 years and, through life's lessons, knew that there is still much growing and learning to do and were, through past hard work and sincere dedication to spending their life together - forever and always, no matter what - ready to continue to work on doing whatever it would take to make life the best it could be for each other. They are determined to thrive within their relationship, aware that love isn't just a feeling, but an expression, and so will continue to love each other "in sickness and in health and until death do us part".
The cruise met their expectations, in fact, even went beyond what they had thought was possible as a superb vacation - not to say there weren't moments when they each needed their own space to rest and relax - but in those separate times they each were able to re-energize and come together again for dinner in the exquisite dining room and share delicious and perfectly cooked and plated food and then share an evening of entertainment or a walk on the starlit deck, or a moonlit ocean view as they sat on their balcony, enjoying the wafting, warm breezes, discussing the days events, with a glass of wine in hand.
Reality reared its ugly head when they landed back at the airport, many degrees colder - in fact minus 38 degrees with the wind chill factor. But they were thankful for the very warm weather they had experienced and knew that Spring wasn't far off. Ahhh, March - the month when crocusses and daffodils show their beautiful faces. Sweater weather. Cleaning off the patio furniture weather. Her first thought when she looked outside the next morning was that Mother Nature was not playing fair. But then she stopped, meditated, and just put herself in the moment, and in the moment realized how beautiful the day actually was. Bright blue skies, the snow bathed in sunlight. The pattern of the snowflakes on the window was amazing. There was a stillness to the earth that only comes with a deep and peaceful snowfall. And as the snow continued to fall, she continued to gaze out the window and be grateful for the serenity of the moment. Be they on a cruise or standing at the kitchen window, she knew that each moment is all that they have, and that living serenly, in that moment, is all that any relationship needs.
The cruise met their expectations, in fact, even went beyond what they had thought was possible as a superb vacation - not to say there weren't moments when they each needed their own space to rest and relax - but in those separate times they each were able to re-energize and come together again for dinner in the exquisite dining room and share delicious and perfectly cooked and plated food and then share an evening of entertainment or a walk on the starlit deck, or a moonlit ocean view as they sat on their balcony, enjoying the wafting, warm breezes, discussing the days events, with a glass of wine in hand.
Reality reared its ugly head when they landed back at the airport, many degrees colder - in fact minus 38 degrees with the wind chill factor. But they were thankful for the very warm weather they had experienced and knew that Spring wasn't far off. Ahhh, March - the month when crocusses and daffodils show their beautiful faces. Sweater weather. Cleaning off the patio furniture weather. Her first thought when she looked outside the next morning was that Mother Nature was not playing fair. But then she stopped, meditated, and just put herself in the moment, and in the moment realized how beautiful the day actually was. Bright blue skies, the snow bathed in sunlight. The pattern of the snowflakes on the window was amazing. There was a stillness to the earth that only comes with a deep and peaceful snowfall. And as the snow continued to fall, she continued to gaze out the window and be grateful for the serenity of the moment. Be they on a cruise or standing at the kitchen window, she knew that each moment is all that they have, and that living serenly, in that moment, is all that any relationship needs.
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