Our 4-Year Anniversary

Thanks to Michelle, who snapped this photo from the Encounter. I think this was taken while I was teaching the youth the session on the Holy Spirit (which was an INCREDIBLE session!).

Joyce and I had an awesome overnight stay in the town of Charlottesville, Va., just a couple of nights ago. What a beautiful place Charlottesville is! No wonder it has been home to Dave Matthews, John Grisham, Edgar Allen Poe, three U.S. presidents, and others. Charlottesville has often been called “a writer’s paradise.” Not only is the town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but it is also home to the University of Virginia, Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s former home), and Ashe Lawn (James Monroe’s former home). It has a wonderful little brick-laden, historic, downtown outdoor mall that is great for walking, shopping, or just hanging out. So we really enjoyed exploring around.

Joyce and I toured the campus of UVA–what an awesome place! Beautiful architecture, bustling with college life, surrounded by mountain views. I had to stop in at the library’s special collections and look with my own eyes at the original manuscript of Stephen Crane’s Red Badge of Courage as well as that of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass and others. Joyce has a dream of graduating with her master’s degree in architecture from UVA–I think she will do it! I realized just how widespread that university is when I saw all kinds of satellite programs offered at our local community college, TCC, where I am teaching in January.

We got a $179 hotel room for just $62! Wow–can’t beat that. That’s my kind of travel. Happy anniversary, sweetie. You’re awesome! And I know you can conquer any dream of yours.

~ by Adrian Schoonmaker on November 29, 2007.