So, what in the world does one do for those between years? We have floundered in the hopelessness of making those years special, but I think we nailed it this year. Eleven years and after three Maltese celebrations, we realised that we simply can't replace the specialty of what Malta has to offer. Thus, we headed back to a place we adore, Boulder, and visited our favourite haunts.
And that's where we nailed it. Instead of visiting NEW places and trying NEW things, aren't anniversaries more about reflection? Surviving eleven years with the same partner without becoming stale and routine is insanely difficult. Especially when you have an Eric and a me in the picture. We are both easily bored, futuristic, business focused, and selfish. Wow. Now you know why I use the word survival. It's not for a lack of love, just surviving those circumstances and still loving one another that is a special feat, and certainly requires that reflection we were missing in previous non-Malta years.
The one new experience we did have on our anniversary was at a wonderful bistro in Boulder called Fresca's. Dear God. Sublime. Delicious. Pigalicious. We had the chef's table in the kitchen and were spoiled with extra little snacks they sneaked us between courses, not to mention a wonderful extra goblet of wine for tasting purposes, of which we now both want a case, thanks to the chef here who seems to be deep in conversation with future delicious plans in the photo below, and for what Eric and I have now dubbed as Food Prostitution.
The next day was Sunday, so it seemed only appropriate to check out Denver memories, which of course had to include Pint's Pub, a run by Wash Park where Eric spent approximately millions of hours doing sports, and a stop by the art museum. However, as we walked around the north end of Cherry Creek where all the chic little shoppes were, we found ourselves a bit unhappy, and then remembered how little time we actually spent in Denver.
Thus, off to the mountains we go :)
I must say, our anniversary gifts to each other were truly fantastic as in they were sentimentally valuable. Our two favourite shoppes visited with wonderful gifts (amusingly, both under $20 and consumable) in Idaho Springs, we settled in for a night of pinball. Of course. And it was awesome with Moscow Mules, burgers, and lots of dollars to make change for the pinball machines.
So for years 12, 13, and 14, we will certainly seek out the sentimental trips, reminding us of our own history, and what makes us who we are. Still, we're really looking forward to year 15 for another nostalgic visit to Malta, because, well, it's awesome there.
