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5 Glorious Beaches You Should Visit in Brisbane

There are tons of beautiful beaches in the world and you can find some in Brisbane. This amazing capital of Queensland is home to awe-inspiring tourist spots, interesting museums and galleries, stunning views, and pristine beaches… CONTINUE READING >> 

Undoubtedly, one of the best destinations to spend your vacation is at the beach. It is a perfect place to loosen up and enjoy your time off with your most favorite people. No matter how quick your getaway is, a time spent at the beach is always fun and worth it.

Apparently, there are tons of beautiful beaches in the world and you can find some in Brisbane. This amazing capital of Queensland is home to awe-inspiring tourist spots, interesting museums and galleries, stunning views, and pristine beaches. Choosing it as your holiday destination is always a great idea.

Listed below are a few of the top beaches you can check out when in Brisbane:

Main Beach

Enjoy a full day out at Main Beach in the North Stradbroke Island. All surfers out there will be delighted to visit it as it offers big swells. This Straddie stunner has 32 kilometers of untouched sand and surf where you can definitely have a great time to slow down with fewer crowds. Not to mention, you can try scuba diving and snorkeling too!

Experience a one-of-kind beach trip at Streets Beach! Located in South Bank Parklands, this man-made beach is one of the must-visit attractions in Brisbane. Boasting its creamy white sand, astounding lagoon, and gorgeous boat pool, everyone will surely have fun here. Also, there are a number of cafes and restaurants around, where you can dine in or buy meals. You can visit Streets Beach for free, so that’s enough reason to head over this beach once you are in the city.

Woorim Beach

Drop by Woorim Beach and spend a fun-filled day with your family and friends. This family-friendly beach is ideal for all families out there. There are picnic and BBQ spots here as well as a playground and skate park. Certainly, you will all have something to do and never get bored. Additionally, Woorim Beach is best for those who love surfing or want to learn it. The sand-bottomed beach breaks and small rolling waves will help you develop your surfing skills.

Suttons Beach

Take a breather at Suttons Beach in Redcliffe and have a relaxing scenery of nature. It offers an astonishing beachfront promenade perfect for riding bikes and scooters. Each one of you will be able to unwind at its grassed areas and shady picnic spots. So, be sure to check this beach out and enjoy your escapade.

Scarborough Beach

Hang out with your loved ones at Scarborough Beach and create happy memories together. You will absolutely experience a refreshing vacation here and kids will also enjoy at the Scarborough Beach Park. This park takes pride of its exciting play areas made especially for children. With this, you won’t be worrying about if they get to have fun or not, for they sure will.

Brisbane beaches are definitely a must-visit. These few mentioned above will make your getaway one for the books, so hop on a car and drive to these coastal destinations. Don’t have your own car? No problem! You can just search for rental cars in Brisbane here to get you to any beaches you like. Car rentals are common in Australia, so booking one is not difficult. You can even compare rates to get the cheapest price!

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No, We Won’t Buy You a…

Our main goal as parents was to end up with happy, healthy, self-sufficient adults.

We can’t tell anyone how to do this — everyone’s different and Lord knows we made our share of mistakes along the way — but we can offer an insight that we’ve gained through our own offspring’s transitions from childhood to adulthood.

Don’t give kids everything they want, just everything they need.

A whole lot of what they want is stupid crap and… CONTINUE READING >>

David Writes!

Our main goal as parents was to end up with happy, healthy, self-sufficient adults.

We can’t tell anyone how to do this — everyone’s different and Lord knows we made our share of mistakes along the way — but we can offer an insight that we’ve gained through our own offspring’s transitions from childhood to adulthood.

Don’t give kids everything they want, just everything they need.

A whole lot of what they want is stupid crap and they will never learn that it is stupid crap unless they are the ones paying for it.

When our kids were teenagers we made it clear that we would not be paying for many of the things that they were convinced they couldn’t live without. They never lacked for any of life’s necessities, but we were not in the business of buying personal phones, CD collections, piercings, fad fashions and the like.

So all of our kids had jobs by the time they were in high school. It wasn’t mandatory, just the only way they were going to have any folding green.

Our daughters, The Piglet and Decibel, spent a lot their money on extra clothes, the kind that we weren’t going to be coughing up the cash for. Our youngest, The Boy, put a death grip on every dollar he earned. They all learned very different, yet fundamental lessons about the value of a buck.

The Piglet found that she would have to work harder to afford the latest styles that she couldn’t face the world without, while Decibel learned to search for values on more avant-garde items.

These concepts have stayed with them. The Piglet is still a fashion slave and for many years kept a weekend job to pay for her collection, Decibel finds threads for her more funky look at thrift shops and vintage stores. We suspect The Boy is still wearing the same clothes he wore in high school.

We also tried to make it clear that they had better hold on to some of the money they earned in high school for the future since they would be responsible for their own adult lives either by helping with college expenses or living on their own.

My father told me early and often, “you can go to college or you can go to work, but you can’t just hang around here.” I never even considered living at home after reaching adulthood because it was never offered as an option and it never occurred to me that it should be.

I count this as one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me.

We had decided long before the college applications were sent out that our kids would be responsible for their own bills while in college. College is NOT 13th grade — we wanted them to learn how to handle money and be personally invested in their education. Believe me, they cared a whole lot more about school when some of their dough was on the line.

We paid for tuition and living quarters for our little intellectuals but everything else, including textbooks, was on their shoulders. Even food and utilities were their responsibility once they moved out of the dorm, which they all did after the first year.

They wanted the freedom and were willing to pay for it. This meant that they would have to work while in school. It also taught them to save money while working summer jobs and it didn’t kill a single one of them.

Our kids were shocked (and, yes, jealous at times) at the free money that many of their friends’ parents were handing out. In addition to covering expenses, some of their fellow students were receiving $1000 a month or more to spend as they pleased.

Often, we were told, this money went towards things that didn’t help with studies, unless getting all liquored up and kneeling to the porcelain god helps to foster enlightenment.

In fairly short order, they began to appreciate what we had expected by insisting that they be financially involved with their educations. They learned to work for what they wanted and sought out friends who did the same.

When graduation day arrived, The Piglet noticed that most of the kids that got the free money were moving back in with their parents after college. BOOMERANG! After four years they hadn’t learned the real life skills needed to live as independent adults.

David, GypsyNester.com

DUBAI: THE GEM IN THE DESERT

You have probably heard about Dubai from different places, maybe even from that one time your favorite celebrity visited. It is a melting pot of architecture, art, fashion, adventure, and other incredible attractions. Here are some of the reasons why you should add Dubai to your bucket list… CONTINUE READING >> 

You have probably heard about Dubai from different places, maybe even from that one time your favorite celebrity visited. In 2017 alone, the Kardashians, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Zac Efron and even Floyd Mayweather all visited the Emirati municipality. It is a melting pot of architecture, art, fashion, adventure, and other incredible attractions.

Whether you’re shopping, seeing the sights, or enjoying local activities, it’s a great place to visit. To find out more places to see or things to do in the City of Gold, check out this ultimate Dubai travel guide. Here are some of the reasons why you should add Dubai to your bucket list:

Shopping

This place is a shopper’s heaven. It stems from most of the items being tax exempt, to encourage tourists to spend their money. There are different places to shop such as old world market places called souks and new age malls with great bargains and discounts. One of the most famous of the souks is the Gold souk which is located in Old Dubai, and offers a variety of jewelry stores that sell gold, silver, diamonds, and other precious stones. You can see incredible designs and even the world’s largest gold ring, which weighs about 64 kilograms.

They take their shopping seriously, and even have 3 separate festivals. The Dubai Shopping Festival is held in January, offering stupendous discounts on different items, the others are the Dubai Summer Surprise and the tech expo called GITEX.

Whether you’re shopping, seeing the sights, or enjoying local activities, it’s a great place to visit. To find out more places to see or things to do in the City of Gold, check out this ultimate Dubai travel guide.

The Sights

From the world’s only 7 star hotel to the breath-taking desert, there is a bit of everything to choose from. You get to enjoy the impressive Dubai skyline from the tallest building on earth during the Burj Khalifa tours. The desert safari lets you take in the sand and take part in dune bashing, camel riding, and an activity most people do not even know exists, sandboarding. There is also the 1000 kilometres of coastline and the world famous Palm Jumeriah, not forgetting the world’s largest fountain display.

Get to do some things

From skydiving to underwater adventures, you will never lack for something to do. You can also go for the legendary Friday brunches, which are essentially an all you can eat, all you can drink affair and a lot of fun. Try and schedule a night visit to the desert while you are there, and enjoy some belly dancing, shisha and a traditional Arabian barbeque that will leave your taste buds dancing. You can even experience snow in the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. Take advantage of bargains such as the Voyage Prive deals to get more bang for your buck.

Food everywhere

Being the cultural melting pot that it is, this city truly is a foodie’s heaven. Everyone brings with them food from their native countries, and the resulting array of food options is simply staggering. You can get everything from Arabic cuisine to Filipino, Japanese, French, and even American dishes. These are both at high-end and humble prices, including food trucks and open air restaurants. They also have a superb spice market, with everything from cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and even saffron.

Whatever your reasons may be for travelling, Dubai will surely scratch your itch. Whether you’re shopping, seeing the sights, or enjoying local activities, it’s a great place to visit.

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The best places to visit in the USA in summer 2018

There are plenty of places worth visiting in the USA in the summer – this county has varied scenery and any kind of leisure. To determine your preferences, look through tourist places in the USA listed below… CONTINUE READING >> 

There exist plenty of places which are worth visiting in the USA in summer – this county has varied scenery in different regions. On its territory, you will find any kind of leisure. Just like planning celebration of New Year, willing to spend unforgettable summer vacation you are to find a worthy place. To determine your preferences, look through tourist places in the USA listed below.

Places to feel connection with nature

Quick pace of life and daily routine have its impact on our well-being. For some of us, the best way to distress and recharge the batteries is to enjoy the sunlight, sound of waves, and birdsongs. Below you will find places to visit in America which will help you to reborn.

Gulf Shores (Alabama)

“Gulf Shores” is an answer to the question “Where to go on vacation not to spend all the savings and still have a great time?” The place is famous for beautiful beaches and great nightlife. Have you ever dreamed of a house on the beach? This is your opportunity to make this dream come true because here you can easily rent a beach house for cheap to spend a week of carefree life. You don’t even need to think of help with essay writing! Tan to your pleasure throughout the day and go to the Hangout to taste some seafood, popular beach snacks, and summer drinks.

Daytona Beach (Florida)

The East Coast destination, this place is known for Daytona 500 and Bike Week. But even if these events do not represent any interest for you, be sure this spot has its allure. The cleanest beaches in this area make it one of the best places to visit in America. Come to Daytona Beach to recharge your batteries. Tanning, swimming, buying handmade pieces from talented artists on the boardwalk, eating ice cream, playing volleyball and other popular beach games, and romantic evening walks – all that you can have here.

Phoenix (Arizona)

If you had enough of beach rest and are looking for an alternative destination for summer allowing to communicate with nature, Phoenix is what you need. That is here that you can afford to get lost in the beauty of desert. Incredible views of Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon and South Mountain Park in sunset or sunrise hours will take your breath. All those unparalleled ancient rock formations will fascinate your eyes. It is the place to take photos of desert plants that you have never seen before. It is also the best option if you like active leisure or are looking for easy ways to get your weight down because hiking around you will make a focus on beautiful landscapes but not your fatigue. This beauty is worth every coin spend on a trip. Diversify your leisure visiting bars in downtown, museums, and different city sights.

Top cities to visit in the USA

Whether it is due to your habits, tastes or you need to change the scenery that you enjoy daily as a person living in the countryside, if you are one of the adherents of vacation in the city, you do have plenty of options to choose from in the USA. You can plan a hot summer rest in Las Vegas or try on the lifestyle of a citizen from the city of stars. You can satisfy your requirements within the territory of this country!

Los Angeles (California)

If you feel the desire to visit the city which is the center of it all, pack your things and take a ticket to Los Angeles! One of the best tourist places in the USA, it allows its visitors to feel themselves the heroes of those television series of the “Beverly Hills” type. What a fun! Walking down beautiful streets, or going for a run, you can enjoy that feeling all day around. Apart from it, you have a great number of variants of exciting and eventful vacation: start with the Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a star bus tour to get into that atmosphere. Are you a TV show lover? Take a studio lot tour to be in the participant ‘s shoes of one of those shows.

Disneyland, another awesome place for rest is in a 30-minute drive from the city: the paradise for children and those adults who do not fear to confess that they are kidults. Well, of course, you will not leave Los Angeles without having fun while shopping. Do you know what makes it a perfect place for summer rest? In LA, you will have it all: city rush and beach rest without a need to relocate as long as you want to stay. Surf, lie on the lawn chair, turf, play beach volleyball, or spend time visiting the sights. Los Angeles will satisfy every your need.

Nashville (Tennessee)

This place is meant for music fans. Though you may not find it on the list of “top vacation destinations USA,” it is a great spot for those who are looking for the best remedy to cure soul enjoying the classic tunes and instruments. When walking on sidewalks of the Music City, you will find plenty of affordable restaurants on your way. That is where you can find quality southern food. On the 8th Ave, taste the famous mac with roast beef or/and cheese at the Arnold’s Country Kitchen.

The city is known for its numerous music events. When in Nashville, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, walk in Cheekwood Botanical Garden, and drop in Johnny Cash Museum. Are you looking for overwhelming romance? Go out on the water during cheap evening river cruise.

Las Vegas (Nevada)

Traditional destination of gamblers and those who love to party hard, Las Vegas is always in demand. Well, yes, this is a casino paradise. Those who have never been to this gambling center do not expect that it can offer that much apart from casinos and never-ending party time. It is true. If you want to test your fortune in luxurious surrounding, there is no place better than this city. On the other hand, one of top cities to visit in the USA, Las Vegas has many other offers. Do you like tanning and savoring delicious treats? Take time to enjoy long walks on the beach, lying on a lawn chair, and tasting fresh seafood in some restaurant in the evening. Music fans will savor music festivals. You can’t leave Las Vegas without having visited the wax museum, Aria Hotel, and the Stratosphere. Do you feel lack of romance? Try out gondola ride in the Venetian.

Choose a place to your taste, and have a great time this summer!

Sandra Hayward is a talented young writer who is keen on traveling. Sandra combines her hobby and assistance with academic assignments on the platform of the essay writing service.

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5 Luxury Honeymoon Breaks for Newlyweds

One of the best parts of organizing a wedding is surely the honeymoon planning. This should be the holiday of a lifetime, marking the perfect beginning to your married life. If you need some inspiration, here are five of the most luxurious honeymoon breaks that will deliver the wow factor… CONTINUE READING >> 

One of the best parts of organizing a wedding is surely the honeymoon planning. This should be the holiday of a lifetime, marking the perfect beginning to your married life.

A honeymoon is often a once in a lifetime opportunity and many couples are tempted to blow their budget on theirs, ticking off those bucket list places. So, where do you want to go?

Whether you want to explore a private island or spend a long weekend in a city you’ve never seen before, make sure you do your homework before booking. If you need some inspiration, here are five of the most luxurious honeymoon breaks that will deliver the wow factor.

The Maldives

You don’t get much more luxurious than The Maldives. A honeymoon in The Maldives is exclusive and secluded from the outside world. With white sandy beaches, bright blue waters and vibrant coral reefs this intimate setting makes for a truly incredible destination.

Away from the hustle and bustle of tourist crowds, there is very little distraction here but, if you do feel like taking part in some activities there is plenty for you to do, whether that’s water sports or exploring a new island. After a hectic couple of months planning your wedding, what better place to do nothing but eat, drink, rest and soak up the sun?

Brazil

With some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, beautiful golden sandy beaches and home to some incredible tropical rainforests – Brazil is a fantastic destination for honeymoon couples looking for an all-round holiday experience. Be prepared to have your breath taken away with a trip to Rio de Janeiro – a multicultural gem bursting with incredible natural surroundings, jagged cliffs and characterised by the local passion and love for life. Trust us, you won’t ever want to leave. Combine relaxing on the beach and exploring new places with your loved one for a trip you’ll never forget.

Paris

Paris is known as one of the most romantic cities in the world. Wander the streets hand in hand, taking in the amazing sights and soaking up the culture of the captivating city. Though the Eiffel Tower is a must-see for couples here, be sure to check out other great landmarks such as The Musee d’Orsay and Georges Pompidou museum and monument. When you’re not soaking up the atmosphere, enjoy a glass of wine or champagne in a Michelin starred restaurant while enjoying some delicious local cuisine.

Mexico

With a range of luxurious resorts, there’s no place quite like Mexico. Enjoy some popular activities including whale watching, snorkeling, volcano tours or a ride on the Copper Canyon Railway and explore some of the country’s best landmarks – Chichen Itza or Tulum. If the exploring gets too much for you both, relax on one of the many beautiful golden beaches and take in the sun. Mexico will always be a popular holiday destination thanks to its variety of excursions, keeping you entertained for days.

Cuba

Fast becoming one of the hottest travel destinations, a honeymoon here is full of culture. With old buildings, music, tropical sunshine and many beautiful beaches, you will be blown away by the sheer beauty of this place. Of course, while here you must visit Havana and explore its magnificent history, which is bursting with colourful colonial architecture and amazing Spanish style mansions. It’s a city made for people watching and admiring the vintage cars as they head down one of the many cobbled streets. Enjoy live rumba music around every corner and bask in the lovely sunshine.

Make sure you spend time looking around and don’t jump at the first place that springs to mind – remember, you want this to perfect so find the ideal place for you both.

We are happy to present this post in collaboration with Louise Wood to offer valuable information to our readers.

Cycling Through a Culinary Exploration of Cuban Cuisine

While we were preparing for our bicycling adventure in Cuba with Backroads Travel , we spoke with several people who told us not to expect much from the food. This fit right in with our preconceived notions of the island but, like most all of them, proved to be false… CONTINUE READING >> 

While we were preparing for our bicycling adventure in Cuba with Backroads Travel, we spoke with several people who told us not to expect much from the food. This fit right in with our preconceived notions of the island but, like most all of them, proved to be false.

Our expectations of bland beans, rice, and chicken were blown away by exciting dishes that incorporate the spices and techniques of Spanish and African cooking. Being on an island also means that the bounty of the sea plays an important role in the cuisine of Cuba.

From our first night in Havana, to the farms and cafes we dined at across the countryside, we were pleasantly pleased with every single meal.

The rooftop restaurant we found the evening we arrived served delicious and innovative dishes with strong connections to the island’s culinary traditions. Chef Ramon Manuel Lopez Alarcon certainly delivered on El Cocinero Restaurant’s reputation as one of Cuba’s finest.

Far from the plain, uninspired cuisine we had been warned to expect, we dined on pork tenderloin with a creamy corn and coconut sauce and grilled Caribbean spiny lobster accompanied by pilaf and salad. Others in our group chose lamb curry and duck confit and were equally impressed.

As delicious as the entrées were, the deserts were truly the stars of the show. We ordered a couple to share around the table, including the house specialty chocolate tart and an innovative, as well as quite cute, take on rice pudding that came served like sushi.

Breakfast the next morning was simple, yet elegantly presented, and we found this to be true throughout our journey. Artfully arraigned fresh tropical fruits, served along with eggs and an assortment of cheese, meats, and breads was the norm.

Lunches were also straightforward and practical, yet delectable and showed great attention to detail.

Before our ride one day we stopped at Restaurante El Cuajaní on a tobacco farm near the base of a magote in the Viñales Valley for fish roasted in a brick oven with mixed local veggies and mashed malanga. Even this Cuban version of down home cooking was plated with care and style.

Thus we had our introduction to malanga, which is a root very similar to taro, and is the go to starch of the island. Over the next few days we would see it a lot, usually mashed, but also fried, stewed, baked, and as chips.

Another memorable lunch was served to us beachside at Playa deCayo Jutías. With our feet nearly in the ocean, how could we eat anything but fresh caught fish? Snapper with rice filled the bill nicely, and a ride back to the hotel in a 1957 De Soto Diplomat made it nearly a perfect afternoon.

Such a day also requires some sort of liquid sustenance and we discovered two brews that fit right in, Bucanero and Cristal. Both are light and refreshing, Cristal somewhat lighter, and these were the only two beers we ever saw.

Rum is probably the most popular Cuban potent potable, with Havana Club being the big one, but don’t be fooled, the Havana Club sold in the states is not the real thing. It is made in Puerto Rico by Bacardi.

While the locals usually drink it straight, we were content to stick with fruity foo-foo drinks. Piña Coladas were everywhere, and the best we ever had, hands down.

They sure came in handy the night we preceded dinner with Salsa dance lessons.  We were loosened up nicely, made valiant attempts at shaking our booties, then dined on mini pizza style appetizers and a roast chicken and pork dinner served family style.

However, our most entertaining libation by far was the Coctel Antiestrés, or anti-stress cocktail. This was a perfect after tour and pre dinner break that we not only enjoyed, but also learned to make at our farm to table visit to Finca Agroecológica Paraíso.

Pineapple juice, mint, canella, basil, anise, piper auritum, honey, and of course, rum are mixed, poured over ice, and served until any and all stress is removed. In our experience, that doesn’t take long.

With our tension levels near all-time lows we were ready for anything, even going whole hog so to speak. That is what the meal consisted of, a whole hog.

We got a behind the scenes before and after look at the process, then proceeded to enjoy some of the best roast pork we have ever tasted.

There is one last beverage that we cannot possibly overlook in our discussion of Cuban refreshments, coffee. Everywhere we went the java was pretty jammin’, but this night the joe, like everything else, was raised right on the premises organic farm to table.

Also in keeping with the rest of the evening’s fare, the coffee was fantastic. Strong, but not too much, and served in the coolest little wooden shot glasses. So cool that a couple of them came home with us as souvenirs.

No, no. Not anything like that. No sneakiness.

We gladly paid for these reminders of how everything excided expectations.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

A big thank you to Backroads Travel  for providing this adventure, as always, all opinions are our own.

The Empty Nest Through a Husband’s Eyes

There is much more to beauty and allure than physical appearance. Years of shared experiences, and the comfort of complete compatibility, more than make up for any lost youth, no matter what these marketers splash across our screens.

As men, we see those images too, and have been persuaded — no, programmed — into thinking that we all want supermodels who think about nothing more than fun times and a lot of beer. Well, I have two things to say about that:

First… CONTINUE READING >>

The Empty Nest Through a Husband's Eyes - GypsyNester.com

Empty nest syndrome.

Judging from what I see online, these three words are almost exclusively associated with mothers, but the adjustments involved are felt by every member of the family.

Daddies miss their children too, and our newly minted adults can go through difficult adaptations while making the transition into the brave new world of personal responsibility as well.

Yet, as with everything else involving marriage and parenting, we’ve charged headlong into this new challenge without an instruction manual.

Now that I’ve had a few years to adjust to this phase of life, I feel that I can look back and offer some helpful nuggets of wisdom, especially pertaining to the couple that was married decades ago.

Without a doubt, raising kids changed our relationship — likely for the better — but with that behind us, the time had come to do a little rekindling of our old flame. Veronica felt unsettled by her loss of mommy duties, so I made a point to focus on the feelings that I have for her, just as I did before parenting entered our picture.

I’m not talking about pretending that we’re twenty-something again (although a little of that ain’t bad at all!), but rather rediscovering the attraction that brought about the big fall into that chasm of love in the first place. Sure, we are very different people now than the crazy kids we were back then, but the flint and steel that provided the spark is still within us; it just needs a little dusting off.

These attraction embers still have life because there is much more to attractiveness than what meets the eye. Veronica is not vain, but — like many women — she has struggled with the image of herself as the years have gone by. The bombardment by advertising’s unrealistic ideas of the female form — regardless of age — has an impact.

But here in the real world, there is much more to beauty and allure than physical appearance. Years of shared experiences, and the comfort of complete compatibility, more than make up for any lost youth, no matter what these marketers splash across our screens.

As men, we see those images too, and have been persuaded — no, programmed — into thinking that we all want supermodels who think about nothing more than fun times and a lot of beer. Well, I have two things to say about that:

First, it’s crap. This fantasy has no relation to real life, where our desires stem from actual affection, love, connection, and passion.

Second, when it comes to these fictitious, ideal females, most of us men are like dogs that bark at cars; we wouldn’t have the slightest idea what to do with one if we caught it.

Perhaps the most important point I can make is that in order to explore these changes and feelings as a couple, we needed to talk. Believe it or not, even though we’ve been married for over three decades, sometimes our mind-reading skills lead us astray.

Luckily we’ve learned to be open and honest about our relationship, both physical and emotional, but it’s vital to know what each of us expects, fears, anticipates, looks forward to and, yes, dreads in the upcoming thirty years so we can face them together.

Veronica really brought this home to me recently when she said, “Remember when we were first married and we used to talk about growing old together?”

Sure I do, back then it was cute and romantic, in a sort of Beatles “When I’m Sixty-Four” kind of way, but it was an idea that became easily overlooked in the hectic frenzy of child rearing. Now the time has come to wholeheartedly embrace the concept. Like it or not, it’s staring us down as a fact of life.

Then it struck me: the idea is still romantic, in a very real sort of way. In fact, it’s practically the definition of romantic, “doing and saying things to show that you love someone.”

I don’t think there’s a better way to embrace that concept than by celebrating each day of our future together.

Because, seriously, how lucky am I to have this time to spend with my best friend?

David, GypsyNester.com

YOUR turn: Veronica here: I cried when I read this. Did you have the same reaction?