Has It Been 15 Years Already?

15 years ago this week we were on our honeymoon in Walt Disney World, about to settle into married life in northern Virginia.

On Thursday we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary, and, even though we are both grayer and stouter, and living near Seattle, it doesn't seem nearly that long.

For our 10th anniversary, we renewed our vows in Walt Disney World (it worked out better for us than it did for Jon & Kate), with our daughters as flower girls.

This year we wanted to do something special for a special year, but we have vowed never to go to Florida in August again. This time, we wanted to do something just the two of us.

On Friday night we checked into the Salish Lodge and Spa, a world-reknowned hotel located at the top of Snoqualmie Falls, which has provided hydroelectric power to parts of the Seattle area for over a century. We had the Snoqualmie Suite, which, overlooking the falls and the plant, has the best view in the resort.

When we entered our room, there were red rose petals scattered on the bed, and two bottles of champagne cooling on the table. In addition to a bottle of champagne from the Lodge, a friend sent us a bottle and congratulations.

We had dined on steak and salmon in the dining room, and shopped a little in the gift shop. We arrived too late to take advantage of the spa (including two hot soaking pools available to all hotel guests), but we enjoyed a lovely wood-burning fire in the fireplace in our bedroom as we sipped champagne and enjoyed the quiet serenity.

In the morning we had a four-course country breakfast that left us stuffed. We soaked in the hot pools, which left us completely relaxed. We were disappointed when the time to pack and check out came so quickly, but we were left with the memory of a peaceful, special time together.