30th Anniversary Trip Day ONE! :)

Tan Lines! Wet Towels! Slow Drivers! Full Bellies! Wal-Mart!

Y’all… it’s officially the kickoff to our 30th Anniversary trip and DAY ONE did not disappoint. 🙌

But let me just say — getting out the door was a full-on production. I mean… does anyone else pack like they’re moving and possibly opening a roadside fruit stand? 🙃

🧺 Towels? Still wet.

🍈 Melons? Sliced and packed like I’m prepping for a farmer’s market.

😼 Whiskie? Literally climbed into the suitcase like she was going too. I opened it to toss in a T-shirt and saw two beady eyes staring back at me like, “Room for one more?”

Spoiler: she didn’t get to go. And she was NOT happy about it.

Then came the moment of truth:

Kevin looked at the car, looked at me, and said the words every over packer dreads: “You can’t add one more thing unless you don’t want a seat.” 

😩I almost asked if the melon cooler counted.

We made it to Jessica’s for lunch — and when I say we ate like farmhands, I mean we might've shocked the furniture. 🤣 It was good. Real good. Southern comfort with a side of “I need a nap now.”

The drive had its own drama…Stuck behind a driver going 37 MPH for what felt like half my life. Bless them. And bless my patience, which I almost ran out of. 🫠

But finally… we made it!

✔️ Checked in.

✔️ Tanned for an hour.

✔️ Swam for 30 minutes.

✔️ Laughed like two kids on summer break.

Dinner? Perfection.

We went to Applewood Smokehouse Restaurant. Thanks to Josh and Jessica for the recommendation! Ordered a trio plate to split. Couldn’t finish it (shocking, I know).

🍎 I had the apple spice cake.

🥧 Kevin had the apple cobbler.

We also went to Walmart, because — obviously. It’s not a real trip unless I forget something and need a tanning oil, Q-tips, after sun lotion ... and few other things I didn’t need but now love. 😄

And just like that — Day One is done.

Full hearts. Full bellies.

And a very mad cat sulking back home because she didn’t get to come.

30 years with Kevin.

30 years of life, laughter, and melons packed with love.

Can’t wait to see what Day Two brings!

💗(But let’s hope the towels are dry this time.)

With sunscreen in my hair and joy in my heart,

—Melissa 💕🐾