One night in the dead of winter, when my husband and I were still dating, we were bored and decided to go for a drive. We bundled up (it must have been -15C or 5F outside), put some hot chocolate in a thermos, brought some actual chocolate for munching, got into his 1993 clunker van (even though the year was 2008) and hit the road. We had no idea where we were going and we had no GPS. Given that my husband possesses an internal GPS like most men I know, I wasn’t so worried. We drove East and then North. The temperature kept dropping the further North we drove and the roads were often unpaved and gravelly. Because these were undeveloped areas we were driving through (so very rare to find when you live in a city), it felt like we were driving somewhere really far from home. I didn’t know what I was more afraid of. Us driving right into a snowstorm, or our van breaking down somewhere along the way! It was one of those moments that was scary but exciting, because it felt like we were on an adventure!
Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. My husband and I were on a shopping trip and needed to get an item for our house. It turns out that none of the stores in our area sold this particular item in the size and color we needed. The only store that did was 1 hour away.
…So we decided to go to the store 1 hour away.
It was silly to drive all that way just to get that 1 item we were looking for. It probably cost us more on gas to drive there, than it would had we just bought another similar item from a local store. Nonetheless, I’m glad we did because what was potentially a trivial, boring household shopping trip turned into a fun adventure. We stopped off home first and ate some leftovers before piling into our now 2003 van (we upgraded 10 years, but were still 10 years behind!) and hit the road. We knew where we were going, but on the way back we took a longer, more scenic detour route. I loved every minute of it and it reminded me of that cold, dreary winter night drive so many years ago. The funny thing too, is that during the drive my husband turned to me and asked , “isn’t this fun? Like the drive we took many years ago?” He still remembered!
It’s amazing how the simplest little things in a relationship can create a long-lasting memory, and can make for a memorable afternoon several years later and most likely in the future too. So keep the simple moments going in your marriage. Whatever they may be (and even as silly as they may seem to anyone outside the relationship–see my earlier comment about gas), these moments connect you as a couple and that connection will only serve to strengthen your relationship with each other down the road! 🙂
Things You Realize After You Get Married 
What a wonderful story! And so true! My husband is in the Navy and is gone for most of the year this year and it is those small moments in between the big ones in our lives that I remember most. Thank you for paying homage to those times and reminding us all to keep those earmarked in our hearts.
I love the way you say, “it is those small moments in between the big ones in our lives that we remember most”, because that rings true for many couples. I think that in our society of bigger and better things, we often forget that it is the simple, little things that truly matter in life, and that we end up cherishing the most (or rather that we should cherish)! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Nice that you were both able to relive that moment from your past.
Thanks–it was a nice memory to bring to life again!
I love this, and it’s so true! 🙂
Thanks! I had a feeling many couples could relate to this post! 🙂
Couldn’t agree more. Most recent example was we met for lunch at a restaurant on Monday – during the Presidential Inauguration – which was being broadcast throughout the place. It was so darn cold outside we knew we would have a great time if only being, a) together and b) inside. While we were eating…it dawned on both of us something seemed really, really deja vu about our lunch…considering four years ago we essentially were in the same situation. At that time we decided at the last minute to steer away from our intended destination and go out to dinner first. That also happened to be while the Presidential inauguration (the parade in this instance) was being piped into the place we were at that day. It happened to be bitterly cold then…four years back as well. We totally blanked out on the political happenings of both days and were just looking for hot meals on cold days. A simple thing to others, but we both had a good laugh over the similarities of two days four years apart.
That’s so cute! It’s so funny that something so trivial to other people meant something much more to you and your wife–even if it was something as simple as a hot meal on a cold day! You two could keep reliving this moment every 4 years! 😉 Thanks for commenting as always! 🙂
That is precious! Thanks for sharing that. I definitely agree! I think it’s important, too, to remember those romantic moments in the beginning that helped you fall in love and talk about them together. It reminds you of all the simple things you love about each other and that you still do!
Touche! 🙂
I just came across you blog. Love the “Realization” theme. P.
Thanks! I’m glad you like it! 🙂
This is such a beautiful post! I’m really glad I stumbled upon your blog.
Thank you for the kind words! 🙂
So great! May you always have these moments with your love. My husband and I do similar silly little things like this…just for fun. And when you are in a car together it is just the two of you…whether you are chatting, fumbling with the radio stations and singing along…It really is all about the simple things in life! Thanks for another great read!
Thank you for the comment and kind words! It’s true how even fumbling with the radio station is a cute memory. Apparently, it’s one of the first things I did when my husband and I went out on a date. He said he was surprised by my “boldness”. …I was just trying to find a good song on the radio! 😀
In the end, all we have is our memories, and many of the best ones come from events that were unplanned or unexpected. Great story, and well told.
Touché! Thanks for stopping by and the kind words! 🙂
I like this very much. I was thinking of going with my wife this evening to buy a few things, rather than going alone. She’s been home all day with our small baby (and our help).
You should do that! I think your wife will like the fact that you chose to go with her (and spend time with her) vs. going alone. 🙂 Plus, it’ll give her a nice change of scenery and some time away from the house.
I agree that you should keep things simple but Don’t forget to Communicate Love with Colorful Roses on Valentine’s Day, okay?
Lol–no worries, my husband already did that earlier this week in lieu of Valentine’s Day. 😉
I love this! My husband and I have to constantly remind ourselves that memories are not made by sitting on the couch (which can be tough to do after a long day). Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping and commenting! Glad to hear you like / can relate to this post! 🙂