Rinn Reflections

We got back on Sunday night from an amazing vacation to Jamaica to celebrate our 5th anniversary! Our friends Amber & Jason gave us an awesome recommendation on where to stay, and from now on, we will definitely take their travel suggestions! :) We couldn't have asked for a more amazing week together!

We flew into Montego Bay and then rode about 2 hours east to our resort in Ocho Rios. (Side note: driving in Jamaica seems to be a sport! There were several times Dave and I were completely holding our breaths, convinced we were about to crash!!) As soon as we (safely) stepped on the Sans Souci grounds, we couldn't believe how gorgeous it was! This was the view from our balcony--we loved waking up to this every morning!

Every morning, Dave went scuba diving while I started my all-day tanning marathon on the beach. :) He had a great time diving and was able to see 2 sea turtles, a 9 foot nurse shark, an eel, and lots of sea slugs. As soon as he got back from diving, he joined me on the beach, and laying on the beach and reading was DEFINITELY my very favorite part of this whole trip. We both got through several great books throughout the week.
We loved eating at the different restaurants. The food was so incredible, and we were never left hungry! One of the restuarants was on the beach, which was so fun! Some of our favorite foods from the week were banana porridge, Blue Mountain Coffee (grown and roasted in Jamaica), fresh mango, and lots of scrumptious desserts!

Of course, we spent hours playing Carcasonne, Scrabble, and our new favorite...Scrabble Me!



And, when we needed to get out of the sun, we loved relaxing in the hammocks that they had all around the resort.
(Funny story about this picture: Right after we took this picture, a large bird flew into the palm tree that was above this hammock. Dave immediately said, "I really hope that bird doesn't aim for me," and as soon as he said that, the bird made Dave's eye his target! It was horribly disgusting, but we couldn't stop laughing!!!!)
Dave took a sailing lesson one afternoon and became quite a good sailor! I went sailing with him several times, and we never even capsized! :) It was really fun being out on the water together.
The sun set around 6:40 p.m. each night, which seemed really early to us (though it rose at 5:30 a.m.!). Everybody would go to "Sunset Beach" in the evening to take pictures of the gorgeous sunsets. They were breathtaking!

We truly had the best week together! Since Dave travels so much, it was absolutely wonderful to spend nine days straight together ~ that is a luxury to us and the best anniversary present we could have! Though it might not be for awhile, we can't wait to return to Jamaica again someday!

Here you are standing next to me, you are the only one I see
Here we are before the throne of God ready to make our sacred vow
And I know you are the one

I didn’t know it right away talking each night & day by day
Guided by the gracious hand of God before our first kiss to our last breath
I thank God that you’re the one

You are the one that I’ve waiting for
You are the one I love, the one that I adore
My friend, my love, my life
I’m proud to take you as my wife
When all is said and done, you are the one

And when the wedding party leaves it will be only you and me
Taking our first steps as man and wife
I’m so glad to say that it’s for life
I thank God that you’re the one

My sweet friend Becca wrote this poem and shared it with everybody at our rehearsal dinner.

'Twas the night before the wedding, and all through the house
The bride wasn't sleeping, nor her soon-to-be spouse.
Her viel was placed with the bedstand with care
Beside her toothbrush, makesup, & stuffed teddy bear.
The bridesmaids were nestled, all snug in their beds
While visions of bouquets danced through their heads.
When up in the steeple they heard such a clatter
The belsl started ringing, and the caterer scattered.
The Minnesota sun made the chapel glass glow
It gave light to the Taylor Sounds practicing below.
As fast as loved sons & daughters grow to leave the nest,
Northwestern chapel was filled with guests.
Hi Kal! Hi Missy! Hi Susie! Hi Tim!
It's great to have you at the union of Bergstroms and Rinns.
To the back of the aisle your attention should fall,
Here comes the bride, radiant & tall.
With a tear on her cheek & the side of her nose
Up the congregation rose!
With a wink of Dave's eye & a turn of his head
Bethany knew she had a lifetime of love ahead
The preacher spoke many words, so blessed was his work,
He married the Rinns and looked forward to dessert.
He said, "I now prounounce you husband and wife,"
And I add, God bless you and have a good life!

After Dave graduated from Taylor, he moved back to Steamboat. During the next school year, we started instant messaging a lot in the evenings, and we both started to feel that there was a "spark" in our friendship. In April of 2002, Dave planned a trip back to Indiana to visit his best friend, Ike, but we ended up spending most of the weekend together, instead. :) This picture is from our first official date, which was that weekend--ice skating in downtown Indy.

This is the first picture of David and me together! At this point, we weren't dating, but we had spent some time together during his senior year at Taylor, which was my freshman year. This photo is from the annual pre-graduation banquet at Taylor. Several of my friends & I were hosts/hostesses for the banquet, and during one of my breaks, I went down to Dave's table to say "hi" and meet his parents...little did I know that they would someday be my in-laws! :)

We cannot believe that our gazebo is finally finished! At times, it has seemed like the never-ending project, but it's truly been a lot of fun and involved quite a few laughs (see above!). :) Nate & Dave worked all day last Saturday in order to finish it for Joel's graduation party. They even got it completely stained before the guests arrived...though we warned everyone not to lean up against any of the posts, since they were still drying. :) Nate has, once again, proven his nickname of Nate the Great...he was a huge help for this entire project!
It's hard to believe that this is what we started with....
and now...
We are looking forward to lots of great BBQs with our family and friends in the gazebo!

And...I should add that Dave keeps telling me that the gazebo isn't really finished until...1) we buy furniture for it, 2) we landscape around it (isn't grass good enough?), and 3) most importantly, it passes the final inspection from the city!

3 Trips I'm Looking Forward To:
1. 5th Anniversary Trip to Jamaica...in 11 days!
2. Trip to Minnesota to visit my grandma, sister, and friends in July
3. Weekend Getaway to Lake Texoma in August with our Keystone friends

3 Books I'm Taking with on Vacation:
1. The Dead Don't Dance by Charles Martin
2. What God Whispers in the Dark by Ron Mehl
3. The Brethren by Beverly Lewis

3 Happy Things About Today:
1. Tomorrow is my last day of school before summer break begins!
2. I got enough Starbucks cards from students as end-of-the-year presents to last me until Christmas!
3. The gazebo is done!

3 Movies I'm Excited to See:
1. Maid of Honor (yes, I know it's already out...I just haven't seen it yet!)
2. Mamma Mia (What could be more exciting than a movie version of my favorite musical?)
3. ??

3 Movies People Can't Believe I Haven't Seen:
1. August Rush
2. August Rush...
3. ...and, August Rush--Do you know how many students and parents of students have asked me if I've seen this??