Ever since we were first married my husband has talked about celebrating our 25th anniversary with a trip to Hawaii. It hardly seems possible, but the magic year is here! However, with a little persuading, my husband is bringing me to what has always been ‘our place’ – San Diego. We lived in San Diego for three marvelous years when we were newly married, and our first two sons were born there. (Neither of them remember much, especially the younger, as he was 10 days old when we left!)

We have many, many wonderful memories, refreshed by an occasional visit, and our favorite place of all is Seaport Village. Our firstborn son took his first real steps on the grassy slopes there, where I strategically stood him a few feet from me, knowing he hated to touch the grass and would not sit down. We spent so many wonderful days there, strolling, watching the magical kites, chasing pigeons and taking naps in the sun. Our first family casualty was there, as we lost my son’s beloved stuffed animal Chip, never to be seen again, but we have since overcome that loss.

Through the years, my husband and I have visited San Diego many a winter, enjoying our old haunts, and always spending many long days at Seaport Village. Sometimes, on a cold and snowy Wisconsin day, I get a craving for a piece of carrot cake from the Upstart Crow, eaten at a quiet table with a strong cup of coffee and a good book. That is my idea of the perfect date – and we will be there this Valentine’s Day week to celebrate 25 years of learning how to love one another. That is what I call special.

Janice, February 10, 2010

My boyfriend of 4 years lives in the Netherlands (yes, that’s a very long way away!). I live in North County, San Diego, and whenever he comes to visit, he loves to go downtown.

The first time we met in person, I took him down to Coronado and Seaport Village, and he told me he loved me for the first time on the boardwalk. Now, on every visit, we always spend at least an evening strolling around among the shops, along the water, hand in hand.

He took me down there again this past January for our anniversary, booked a suite in the Manchester Hyatt, and took me to a romantic dinner in Seaport Village. He said he can see this place as home in the future, which means the world to me – no more 5,000 miles between us, expensive phone calls, or long flights just to see each other.

It’s the warm breeze that drifts over the Village on summer evenings, the quaint shops, the culture of the live musicians and artists, and the beauty of the very city, my home, that always reminds me of my love and our memories – past, present, and the ones we are sure to make in the future.

Becky, February 8, 2010