La Republica Dominicana

Years ago, Brad and I decided that when he finished his doctorate, we were going to go on a big trip, just the two of us. He ended up graduating the same year that we celebrated our tenth anniversary, which would have been really fun timing. Except for the whole still-in-the-middle-of-the-pandemic part. We decided to postpone for another year, in hopes that travel would be a bit easier, and it turned out that decision was a good one.

We decided on Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Brad's parents very kindly agreed to stay with the girls. Everything was ready to go...until travel day rolled around. Sheesh. I can never travel without drama, you know? Long story short, the line to check bags at 6:00 am ended up being SO LONG that by the time we got to the desk, we had *just* missed TSA's cutoff. We waited for over an hour to rebook, tried to grab a standby flight...and then another...and then we called it. I had started a migraine and just felt like missing one day (and really...only one evening and half of another day) would be better than running through airports all day with a migraine only to arrive with no luggage (because we were going to have to check our carry-on bags, too). So, we went back home where I slept off a migraine, and we got takeout for dinner to pretend that we weren't actually back at home.

Attempting to travel on our first day

The next day, all of our travel went according to plan, and we got settled in at our resort and headed to supper!

Our next few days were absolutely fantastic. We read so much and ate good food and sometimes swam and worked a puzzle...I would say we slept late, but alas. We are too habituated to our usual wake-up times and woke up no later than 6:30 until our last day (when we woke up at 7:00). Don't worry: we just got to breakfast before the crowds did.

We stayed at an all-inclusive resort, which means that we ate so very well. And definitely too much.

We went to the steakhouse twice, as it was SO GOOD.

Second night proof

Patio buffet

View from the patio restaurant

Hibachi!

Also? Fancy coffee at any time of day

We had gorgeous weather and the views were so, so peaceful. Note: we were staying in the adults-only part of the resort. Not because we don't like children, obviously. It was just so very peaceful and quiet, which was kinda what we were going for by not taking all of our children with us, you know?

We went for after-dinner walks every night. It was a necessity, given how much we ate...

The name of our resort...in lights!

We had the BEST few days on our long-awaited trip. We have been able to get away in some capacity every few years, thanks to our parents' willingness to watch the girls for us, and we're always so grateful for the opportunity to remember how much we really like hanging out with each other, just the two of us. Definitely good for our marriage! Maybe not for our waistlines...