Category Archives: Travel

36/40 – on my HSLP’s moment

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Seeing as how meeting this person was my 20th moment in this series, it is only fitting that I ask her to do a little moment-sharing as well!

I can’t say it would even be possible to pick one favorite moment with Patti.  There are 1) far far too many to choose from, and 2) how do you define “favorite”?

Is “favorite” the moment when I met Patti when she came in for a job at Treasury of Memories?  I knew right then that she was someone special.  I didn’t know at the time that I was gaining my Heterosexual Life Partner (my HSLP), but I knew I really really wanted to be her friend.  I think it took less than 1 shift together to know we were a match made in ‘High School Musical’ heaven.

Is “favorite” the moment I said, “I’m going to Haiti to work in an orphanage”, and without skipping a beat, she was signed up to go with?

Is “favorite” the countless nights out on the town, living our absolute, best, single lives? Dancing, drinking raspberry mojitos (by the pitcher), add in a little bit of ruckus and a whole lot of shenanigans, and that, my friends, is how you do it when you’re not yet 30.

Is “favorite” the moment my heart was broken, and without question, I had a place to stay, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and no shortage of wine to soften the pain?

Is “favorite” the days spent dreaming up a fabulous business plan for a party planning company?  Between our craftiness, county connections, and dare I say, being pretty fun girls, we were really onto something.  While I know we’ve out grown this possibility, it really was an EPIC idea.

Is “favorite” the moments I get to see her former students and players beam with joy, respect and adoration when they bump into her?  Seeing the way their eyes light up, you know instantly she is such a positive role model and influence in her students and players lives.

Is “favorite” the moment I got the call that her and Scott were taking in 2 foster kiddos?  I think back to that moment often, and am in such awe of their bravery, love and open hearts for children, especially those in need.

Is “favorite” having the most wise and thoughtful confidant whenever I need advice on life, relationships, or when we were all of a sudden raising a 16 year old? (Not to mention she has actual, professional credentials for this said advice 😉

Is “favorite” knowing I’ve already had more cherished memories than one girl should rightfully have, or, is it the comfort knowing we have 40+ more years of joy, laughter and love (and even maybe a little ruckus and shenanigans) ahead?

Every single moment shared has been a gift, and you, Patti….are my favorite ❤

Love you always, your HSLP,

Elke.

34/40 – on BJ’s moment

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Aren’t we so lucky to have social media to look back for embarrassing photos of these beloved moments???? Here is my oldest brother’s fave memory of me – seeing as how we didn’t really like each other until our adult years, this tracks.

I loved the Christmas we spent in Chicago. From a Rock Band filled morning (without having to watch younger siblings get spoiled) to Christmas dinner at Murphy’s Bleachers bc I didn’t realize the stores would be closed.

Your move holy man.

Also a freezing Seahawks game at Lambeau Field where you talked our seat neighbors into buying you drinks to celebrate Seattle’s only TD while I was in the bathroom. It was fun to spend a holiday together without all the usual obligations to distract us. 

Not pictured – BJ shoving me in a huge snowdrift on our walk home from the after-party where we schooled some Packer fans in beer pong. A subtle reminder that we BARELY like each other in our adult years…..

32/40 – on Scott’s moment

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Because I am an enthusiastic slacker, I didn’t make it to 40 moments BEFORE I turned 40. So I outsourced to a few peeps so they could tell me their fave moments I might have forgotten.

Up first is my sweet husband…for my birthday, I asked for two things. A birthday dinner with all 3 kiddos in one spot and that took some serious wrangling but he did it (with 304 messages and reminders) and I am so very thankful.

We didn’t mean to stand tallest to shortest but here we are.

And for the second request, of course, I asked him to write up his favorite moment with me. Here is what he had to say:

I have had the incredible fortune of spending the last 12 years with my incredible wife patti. We have had our ups and downs as does all couples. I’m beyond thankful to call her my wife through all the highs and lows. Although there has been tough times there have by far been more wonderful times. Too many to count actually. Some things that stand out to me actually come at the beginning of our relationship and pretty recently actually.

One of our first dates was where we took the ferry out to Friday harbor. It was an amazing day filled with good food, beautiful views (Nature and Patti), and the start of someone falling in love with the other. Another important time to me that i am cherishing is our 10 year anniversary to whistler a couple months ago in august (see more of this here). It was a time filled with good food as usual, but more importantly a time to reconnect and remember why we love each other. I am continually thinking of this trip to whistler we just took and how i love spending time with Patti.

Not our first date but another photo on the ferry deck to Friday Harbor!

Happy 40th dear! I love you and you’re just as hot as you were on our first date!

On our Whistler weekend

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Traveling to Canada has been tricky the past couple of years, but it’s not anymore and if you haven’t been to Whistler…it is such a fun destination in the summer! With so many restaurants and activities to choose from, I thought I would highlight a few in case you find your way up north and want some recommendations!

Where to stay – there are a LOT of hotels and rental options right in Whistler Village and I recommend choosing something in the village so you’re super close to the all of the action! 9 years ago, we stayed at the Aava hotel and loved that option as well. This time around, we went the AirB&B route and LOVED our condo. To save some money, these have full kitchens so shopping and cooking on your own would be great for a family getaway. Our host was amazing and responsive and the place was so cutely decorated and had everything we needed (with it raining so much, we did spend more time than I thought we would in the condo). Ours had a cute pool and hot tub as well which was perfect to come home to each night after a lot of walking (and eating/drinking).

Must-do activity – riding the gondola up Whistler or Blackcomb is a must must activity and is breathtakingly beautiful. It does cost a good chunk of money, but you can spend the whole day/night up there to get your money’s worth. Once you’re up top, there are many sites to see, trails to hike/explore and restaurants to eat at! On top of Whistler in particular, there is the Umbrella bar with a 360 degree view and a great buffet dinner on Friday-Sunday. Watching the mountain bikers head down is also part of the fun!

Where to eat – ummmm…..EVERYWHERE! Seriously there are so many amazing places to eat and since the weather wasn’t great, I’m pretty sure we hit more stops than we originally planned. Here were some of my favorites:

1. Purebread – Okay you know I love my carbs but being in line each morning at 8am when this place opens and the wave of aroma hits you was MAGICAL. There is everything here from sweet to savory and I recommend ordering your own sampler platter and try bits of what you want (and then snag a box of goodies for the ride home as well on your way out).

2. La Cantina Taco Bar – Just good tacos. And guac. And vibes.

3. Dubb Linn Gate Irish Pub – This was the one place we actually remembered from our previous trip 9 years ago and wanted to return. And it did not disappoint….delicious Irish comfort food (the shephard’s pie…..wow) and all the different beers and whiskeys you could imagine.

4. Cow’s Ice Cream – This came recommended to us and I hadn’t heard of it before but the line was always out the door and it was a great treat to snag and walk around the village with.

5. Raven’s Room – This bar was tucked inside a hotel and was hard to find but the drinks were amazing as well as the decor. We didn’t end up eating here but watched others’ food come out and it looked amazing!

Honorable mentions: Earl’s, Hunter Gather, Sachi Sushi (must order the shrimp gyoza made in house), Araxia (super pricey, not worth it IMO but good), Stonesedge (yummy eggs Benedict), The Green Mustache