{"id":2376,"date":"2016-08-27T17:18:39","date_gmt":"2016-08-27T22:18:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/?p=2376"},"modified":"2019-08-27T09:49:28","modified_gmt":"2019-08-27T14:49:28","slug":"our-journey-of-a-lifetime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/our-journey-of-a-lifetime\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Journey of a Lifetime"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has been said that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. It was Aug. 27, 2011, that Ann and I took our first\u00a0step together as we walked\u00a0down the aisle at Westminster Presbyterian Church as a husband and wife. Since that day, we&#8217;ve been on an amazing life journey. <\/span>As we celebrate\u00a0our fifth anniversary today, we thought we&#8217;d share\u00a0some of our most memorable experiences. As we look back, we are thankful for the opportunities we\u2019ve had, and are even more grateful that we could experience these things together.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Honeymooning in Costa Rica<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great weddings require a lot of planning. I was happy to be involved in planning our wedding. I told Ann from the start that I trusted her judgment\u2014I just wanted to work on the honeymoon. I cooked up\u00a0a wonderful week in Costa Rica with what Ann called the perfect mix of relaxation and activity. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2383\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1030173-e1472303399140.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2383\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2383\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1030173-e1472303399140.jpg\" alt=\"Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and Spa is, by far, one of the most romantic, relaxing places on earth. \" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2383\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tabacon Hot Springs Resort and Spa is, by far, one of the most romantic, relaxing places on earth.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We basked in a volcanically heated river on the side of Arenal Volcano, took a zip-line adventure 400 feet above the treetops, and enjoyed what is probably the most romantic dinner of our lives\u2014in a private gazebo in the rainforest served by our own chef and waiter. <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2384\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1030220-e1472303340678.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2384\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2384\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1030220-e1472303340678.jpg\" alt=\"What an exciting way to start a marriage -- zip lining 400 feet above the tree tops in Costa Rica. \" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2384\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">What an exciting way to start a marriage &#8212; zip lining 400 feet above the tree tops in Costa Rica.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2382\" style=\"width: 235px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1030042-e1472303456766.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2382\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2382\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1030042-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"We loved exploring the rain forest and seeing the incredible plant life in Costa Rica. \" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2382\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We loved exploring the rain forest and seeing the incredible plant life in Costa Rica.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We loved the Costa Rican coffee and\u00a0gallo pinto<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0in the morning. We enjoyed the smells of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the flowers and the views from the mountains. We cherished our time on the beach and\u00a0<\/span>the opportunity to dip our feet in the ocean. And most importantly, we fell even more in love with each other there. Pura vida at it\u2019s best.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Treatments at the Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone who has been married will tell you that everything doesn\u2019t always go just as you planned, and there really will be a time to remember your vow to be there for each other through sickness and health. Over the past few years we have made more trips to Rochester, Minnesota, than anywhere else.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2391\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSCN0849-e1472302727233.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2391\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2391\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSCN0849-e1472302727233.jpg\" alt=\"One of the world's best medical treatment facilities - Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. \" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2391\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">One of the world&#8217;s best medical treatment facilities &#8211; Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two and a half years ago, Ann was diagnosed with a rare immune disease called cardiac sarcoidosis and has had surgeries and treatments at the world-renowned <a href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/music-for-the-soul\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mayo Clinic<\/a> there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2407\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/29238293746_c58f982f1b_o-e1472329588530.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2407\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2407\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/29238293746_c58f982f1b_o-e1472329588530.jpg\" alt=\"Recovering from thoracic surgery at Mayo Clinic's St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.\" width=\"600\" height=\"422\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2407\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Recovering from thoracic surgery at Mayo Clinic&#8217;s St. Mary&#8217;s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While these trips are no vacations for either of us<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they have brought us closer together and have helped us treasure every day we have together. The Mayo Clinic is a place full of answers, help and hope and we are always grateful for the opportunity to go there. \u00a0In the end, our time spent in Rochester\u00a0has been a big part of our first five years and even though it doesn&#8217;t always bring back the happiest of memories, it is a part of our journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Taking pictures in Alaska<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2013, we took our first cruise and went on a family vacation to Alaska.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2390\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0819-e1472302799574.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2390\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2390\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0819-e1472302799574.jpg\" alt=\"A beautiful reflection shot, taken from a moving train en route to Anchorage, Alaska. \" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2390\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A beautiful reflection shot, taken from a moving train en route to Anchorage, Alaska.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s the thing about Alaska: it is stunningly beautiful. Everywhere we turned we were confronted with another jaw-dropping vista of mountains, ocean, glaciers, and wildlife.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2389\" style=\"width: 456px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSCN0499-e1472302963260.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2389\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2389\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSCN0499-e1472302963260.jpg\" alt=\"We took a helicopter ride to the top of glacier where we were able to sip glacier water and explore the terrain. \" width=\"446\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2389\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We took a helicopter ride to the top of glacier where we were able to sip glacier water and explore the terrain.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2388\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0340-e1472303063404.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2388\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2388\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0340-1024x652.jpg\" alt=\"Our whale watching tour was amazing. When we got back to shore, Steve asked Ann, &quot;So who did it feel to be in photographer's heaven?&quot; \" width=\"740\" height=\"471\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2388\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Our whale watching tour was amazing. When we got back to shore, Steve asked Ann, &#8220;So how did it feel to be in photographer&#8217;s heaven?&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where else on Earth can you find yourself on a small boat watching humpback whales dive literally 10 feet away while salmon jump over their tails, and gaze out across the water to admire a rainbow rising up over a mountain? It is truly a photographer\u2019s heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Meeting new people<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>We love to meet new people. Whether it is introducing ourselves to those sitting next to us at a bar or restaurant or shaking hands with people we&#8217;ve just met at a conference or event, we just love meeting new people.\u00a0Over the past five years we\u2019ve met some incredible people like <a href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/nebraskas-nicest-1-innkeeper-jeanne-goetzinger\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">innkeeper Jeanne<\/a> in Chadron, Nebraska, and the staff at Luminae restaurant on the Celebrity Eclipse. We&#8217;ve\u00a0developed new relationships with fellow bloggers, our readers, and travel enthusiasts. And, we&#8217;ve made some great new friends along the way.<\/p>\n<p>But few meetings will be as memorable as the night we were invited backstage after a Garth Brooks show in Las Vegas to meet the country music legend and his wife and singer Trisha Yearwood. People often say, \u201cPics or it didn\u2019t happen.\u201d Well, here you go. For what it\u2019s worth, Garth and Trisha are as gracious and kind as you\u2019d expect.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2386\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1040544-e1472303169820.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2386\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2386\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1040544-e1472303169820.jpg\" alt=\"Down to earth, personable, and boy can they sing! Our once in a lifetime experience meeting county music artists, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. \" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2386\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Down to earth, personable, and boy can they sing! Our once in a lifetime experience meeting county music artists, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Picking up our daughter from school<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Spain. Via <a href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/roaming-rome-4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rome<\/a>. As you know, all good parents make sure their children get home safely after school, and Ann and I are no exception. That\u2019s why we we made the trek to Salamanca, Spain, last summer to pick Meghan up after she\u2019d spent several weeks there studying Spanish. We were so proud of our daughter and all she had accomplished there and it was a real blessing to be able to see where she had studied, visit her favorite museums, and meet some of her teachers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2411\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0570-e1472332775630.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2411\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2411\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0570-e1472332775630.jpg\" alt=\"Meghan studied Spanish Salamanca, Spain. \" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2411\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Meghan studied Spanish Salamanca, Spain.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And we loved Salamanca. It is a historical city dating back to Roman times and we savored every moment spent sitting in the open air cafes on the square, eating paella, drinking\u00a0amazing wine and listening to bands playing traditional music. \u00a0<\/span>As long as we were headed across the ocean, we stopped first in Rome, admired the incredible history there and enjoyed pasta at a sidewalk cafe before boarding a cruise to Spain. It was an amazing trip.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2395\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0027-e1472302450981.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2395\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2395\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0027-e1472302450981.jpg\" alt=\"Our view of the Forum in Rome, Italy, seemed like it was right of a history book. \" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2395\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Our view of the Forum in Rome, Italy, seemed like it was right of a history book.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Exploring our home state, Nebraska<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Ann and I were married, I hadn\u2019t done much travel in the state of Nebraska except on Interstate 80. Ann insisted that we take a trip around our state. She and Meghan had taken annual Nebraska trips for close to a decade and she said there were some pretty special things to be enjoyed if we just got off of I-80. Well, she was right.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2393\" style=\"width: 730px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0087.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2393\" class=\"wp-image-2393 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0087.jpg\" alt=\"Nebraska\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0087.jpg 720w, https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0087-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0087-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2393\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A road in the Sandhills of northwest Nebraska near Crawford. Definitely not I-80.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One place she took me that blew me away was <a href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/nebraskas-nicest-2-toadstool-geologic-park-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toadstool Geologic Park<\/a>. I\u2019ve been twice, now, and both times I\u2019ve been awed by the beauty and unique geography located in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nebraska<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Last Spring we shared another experience that was a first for both of us: <a href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/the-amazing-sandhill-crane-migration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Sandhill Crane migration<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2396\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0331-e1472302427363.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2396\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2396\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0331-e1472302427363.jpg\" alt=\"We watched thousands of Sandhill Cranes gather at sunset on the Platte River near Grand Island, Nebraska. \" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2396\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We watched thousands of Sandhill Cranes gather at sunset on the Platte River near Grand Island, Nebraska.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeing the cranes land on the Platte River at sunset is an almost mystical experience, and it should be on your bucket list. Turns out Nebraska is a pretty special place if you just stop and look around a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #333333;\">Watching the sun rise and set<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every day, God gives us two beautiful light shows that fill the whole sky: sunrise, and sunset. We have always tried to slow down and enjoy these moments when we can.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2394\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0076-e1472302604105.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2394\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2394\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0076-e1472302604105.jpg\" alt=\"View of the sunset from our cruise ship in Nassau, Bahamas. \" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2394\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View of the sunset from our cruise ship in Nassau, Bahamas.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Whether it&#8217;s a fiery sky turning orange and red as the sun dips into the ocean, or a glistening\u00a0sunrise in Estes Park or the <a href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/a-new-view-of-key-west\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Florida Keys<\/a> &#8212; these are times to be savored.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2415\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0307-e1472335218592.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2415\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2415\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/DSC_0307-e1472335218592.jpg\" alt=\"Watching the sunrise over the mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes, Colorado.\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2415\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Watching the sunrise over the mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes, Colorado.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2385\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a class=\"lightbox\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1030926-e1472303252600.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2385\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2385\" src=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/P1030926-e1472303252600.jpg\" alt=\"A day of rejoicing with the sunrise on Easter morning from the Florida Keys. \" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2385\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A day of rejoicing with the sunrise on Easter morning from the Florida Keys.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>When you stop and think about it, there is nothing made by human hands that can even compare.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve been really fortunate to have been able to travel as much as we have the during these first five years of our marriage and we don&#8217;t take one trip for granted. Whether it is across the ocean or just down the road, we\u00a0have always managed to learn something new on our adventures. We&#8217;ve experienced something different. And we&#8217;ve created memories together that will last a lifetime. None of us knows what our futures will hold. Only God knows whether we&#8217;ll have more days filled with\u00a0or joy or sorrow, sickness or health, plenty or want. The important thing is to enjoy the journey and to remember that most of the time, the only trip you&#8217;ll ever regret taking is the one you don&#8217;t.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It has been said that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. It was Aug. 27, 2011, that Ann and I took our first\u00a0step together as we walked\u00a0down the aisle at Westminster Presbyterian Church as a husband and wife. Since that day, we&#8217;ve been on an amazing life journey. As we celebrate\u00a0our [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":26,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1319,1312,1311,310],"tags":[644,451,176,303,646,642,177,645,281,462,1130,1129,640,414,376,502,534,314,641,75,647,643],"class_list":["post-2376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about","category-feature-real-life","category-feature-romance","category-romance","tag-adventure","tag-alaska","tag-costa-rica","tag-florida","tag-garth-brooks","tag-glacier","tag-honeymoon","tag-humpback-whales","tag-key-west","tag-mayo-clinic","tag-midlife","tag-midlife-travel","tag-mountains","tag-nebraska","tag-rome","tag-salamanca","tag-sandhill-cranes","tag-spain","tag-tabacon","tag-toadstool","tag-trisha-yearwood","tag-zip-line"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.5 (Yoast SEO v23.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Our Journey of a Lifetime - Postcard Jar Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/postcardjar.com\/our-journey-of-a-lifetime\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Our Journey of a Lifetime\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It has been said that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. It was Aug. 27, 2011, that Ann and I took our first\u00a0step together as we walked\u00a0down the aisle at Westminster Presbyterian Church as a husband and wife. Since that day, we&#8217;ve been on an amazing life journey. 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