Twenty years is a long time for some people. But for me, I don’t know where they went! This past year 2021 gave me a chance to celebrate together with my husband 20 years of a marriage arranged directly by God.
You see, I made a special-order request to God for a man who could be my partner in everything. Dionisio (Dio) has been the ideal husband in every way including a loving stepfather to my children. Of course, God is good all the time and sent me the best.
We haven’t had milestone celebrations (5th, 10th, 15th) in the past. But with the pandemic we realized how precious it is to be alive! This year, more than ever, we thought it was important to commemorate our twenty years of sharing our lives. It was decided to splurge on a three day getaway to a luxurious hotel in Niagara Falls, NY not far from our home in Rochester, NY. (Please read About Me and Why Rochester?)
We were excited to visit Niagara Falls State Park. Because of the pandemic, staying close to home felt like the best option to be outdoors and enjoy nature. The Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino hotel was just a few blocks from the falls, so it made sense for us to stay there.
So much happened on this trip that I took notes at the end of each day so I could write about it and not ever forget this particular anniversary trip (not that I could ever forget). I also wanted to share our experiences so that you could enjoy what Niagara Falls has to offer right alongside us.
Tuesday, June 22/2021 Day 1
We started out early from home in Rochester, NY on the first day of our trip. It was a cold, cloudy and dreary morning, yet we were in high spirits and hoping for better weather along the way.
About half hour into our road trip, the sun shined in between scattered white puffy clouds. It really became a glorious day to travel as we moved closer towards Niagara Falls. Once we got to the hotel we registered. Excited to go to our hotel room on the 14th floor, we couldn’t wait to see the view! The money paid was worth it!
By the end of the day, we realized the Lord sent us many blessings! Just as he has throughout our marriage! It is said that pictures speak louder than words.
Beautiful places!
Great weather!
Wonderful pictures!
14th floor view of the hotel room!
Togetherness we felt!
New experiences!:
Whirlpool Park
Fat Papas Diner, Wilson, NY
DiCamillo Bakery
Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino Hotel
Blue Burger Restaurant in hotel
Beautiful sunset reflections at our hotel room window
The moon and night lights
Looking back on our first day of our road trip, indeed it was a day full of blessings! (happy sigh…)
Wednesday, June 23/2021 Day 2
AM
Aquarium of Niagara
We were very excited for our first visit to this aquarium! What an awesome experience! When we arrived at the outer entrance, the first thing we got to see was the rescued seals that are considered non-releasable. These seals can never go back to the wild. These are their stories:
Medusa: Bilateral cataracts caused this female seal to be blind. It was so sad to see her floating in the middle of the pool while the other seals were swimming around her. I asked myself if Medusa was happy here. Later, when we were leaving the aquarium at the end of our visit, we looked in on her again. This time Medusa was happily swimming around the pool. She bumped into another seal and turned around swimming in the opposite direction which made me feel a lot better…she’s okay living here!
Zoey: A severe middle ear infection left Zoey without the ability to dive into deeper waters to find food. She can’t survive in the wild without this ability.
Stryker: He was struck by a boat and one of his flippers was amputated. Stryker cannot fend for himself in the wild.
All three seals were swimming actively and having fun in the pool. After satisfying our curiosity for the seals, and in keeping with the appointment for our reserved time inside, we entered the building to see the rest of the aquarium.
The Humboldt Penguins were next with their amazing agility and speed swimming close to the glass that served as a barrier between the Penguins and the visitors.
They swam so closely to the glass that it seemed you could reach out and touch them! Their excitement was highly “contagious”! (In a good sense) It was extremely exciting to watch, and I felt like a child who didn’t want to continue with the tour. My husband waited patiently as I absorbed the energy that the penguins provided… happy energy!
The rest of the exhibitions and experiences were entertaining as well as educational. Yet the Penguins were the best part of the visit!!
The souvenir shop had a cashier with my name – Emily. And wouldn’t you know it, we both love penguins and treefrogs. I purchased a life-sized stuffed penguin toy that resembled the Humboldt Penguin who swam by my face along the glass earlier in the visit. And yes! I also got the treefrog!
For lunch
Our anniversary meal was lunch in the hotel at the Three Sisters Café. We walked in to enjoy a welcoming ambience.
The waitress provided a delightful and cozy atmosphere for us. She even took a picture while we waited for the meal to arrive. Everything about the celebratory meal was magnificent!
I chose the Shepherd’s pie which was a first for me. Dio went with the New York strip steak, broccoli and fries. Our dessert, carrot cake with whipped cream was a takeout for later in the day as we were happily full.
We both agreed it was a unique moment for us to commemorate our journey of 20 years together. A memorable meal for an extraordinary relationship nurtured with love sent from above! After such a fulfilling lunch, we decided to walk it off by going to the Niagara Falls.
There are a few different falls to visit at the Niagara Falls State Park. The ones we visited are:
– Horseshoe Falls
– Bridal Veil Falls
– American Falls
– Observation Deck between the falls and the Rainbow Bridge to Canada
We spent a couple of hours walking to see the different falls. It was a beautiful blue sky weather day!
PM
Later on, after dinner we went to the hotel’s casino. We spent about an hour there which was how long it took to spend our budget of $40 each. Plus, we received $15/pp to play slots after we registered in the casino’s social club. It was a fun way to spend an hour, though we’d have liked to have won extra money to play longer before finally spending our small budget.
While walking around the casino, all I thought about was the movie Lightning Thief, where Percy Jackson and his friends were trapped at the Lotus Hotel casino. Time stopped while the characters spent a week in the casino in which they thought only hours had gone by. It was a surreal moment for us! The notion of time was muted with all the actions of the different slot machines and games available.
We retained a small change with each game played which totaled out to $7.00 in receipts. So, with that money we went to the hotel’s Tim Horton’s for snacks. We took our snacks to our room to eat while contemplating the night sky’s rising moon.
It’s amazing how 20 years of marriage have already gone by. Each day I thank God for his goodness in bringing Dio to my life.
Please Lord,
Help me take care of him. He deserves it and much more!
I am forever grateful for your kindness in gifting me with Dionisio.
I hope I can defend him and care for him always! Amen!
Thursday/June24/2021 Day 3
The third and last day at Niagara Falls. Time to go home! But breakfast first:
- Dionisio went to get breakfast for us at the hotel’s Tim Horton’s. He asked for cold tea, a breakfast sandwich for himself, my coffee and buttered bagel.
- Dio came to the room, and while he ate the Tim Horton’s breakfast, he tasted the “tea” and said, “This tastes like cold coffee!” He sipped again and said, “It is cold coffee! I asked him what did he say? He tells me, he asked for cold Tea…
- I laughed because with his Spanish accent and the noise at Tim Horton’s, and the way he asked for the tea, it was easy to understand why the person could have easily heard cold coffee. I told him that he can say “iced tea” next time, which is what most people call it. That’s when he realized the mistake and we both laughed about it!
- Dio decided to keep it. He also warned me about how the caffeine might affect him. Afterwards he did something silly, and I said to him no more coffee for you!
After breakfast, we finished packing and Dio took down most of our things to the car. Then he came back to the room. We sat in front of the wall size window for a while, drinking in that magnificent midmorning view!
We checked out at about 10:45 AM and then went to the front of the building to take pictures of the animals around the giant feather. It was windy with a temperature of about 74°F. Armond, who worked at the valet, commented on the beautiful day and we agreed. He recognized us as first time tourists of the hotel because of our excitement around the animal statues. We enjoyed “big times” taking pictures of each animal, the giant feather, and the hotel building.
The building has huge indigenous symbols on the outside of the building. Inside, the décor is commemorating the indigenous culture everywhere which we were able to appreciate.
Since it was close to noon, we decided to get lunch at the nearest McDonald’s. We ate in the car in the parking lot while contemplating why 2 seagulls were standing at the corner of McDonald’s restaurant building…
PM
On our way home we decided to stop again at Olcott beach to explore a different part of the shoreline and make use of the restrooms.
- Once we entered on the opposite end of Olcott Beach from where we came on the first day, I noticed a short street with colorful outdoor furniture by the edge of Lake Ontario. I immediately wanted to explore, and Dio accommodated me as he often does! So, we parked. What a sweet surprise when we walked around! There were a variety of flowers, tables and chairs in festive colors and small shops! We took pictures and entered the Lakeview Village Shoppes.
- Then we entered a shop called the “Gift Box at the Beach”. There were many great things to buy. But, you know, the budget! We still spent almost $35. Dio wanted to support the small business, which I agreed to. Besides, he gave his credit card! A New York storage box was on a shelf and I asked to see it. I loved it! But It wasn’t for sale. The box was for décor of the store. The nice salesperson called the owner of the shop and told her I really liked it. Luck was on my side and the owner let me buy it! I was excited! I collect New York souvenirs.
- Afterwards, We became pirates for a moment while strolling down the short colorful street…” Argh, I’m a pirate!”. We had a lot of fun!
Finally, we started off for home. We reached our apartment complex in Rochester at 4:00 PM. It was another great weather day to drive home! And a great end to our road trip!
This trip was a tribute to our incredible marriage of 20 years! The experiences during our Niagara Falls road trip sums up our marriage! It symbolizes the uniqueness and sweetness in the small things of our relationship as a couple. It also magnifies the greatness of the bigger moments we have shared together as a family. My Lord God granted my request 120% more than what I expected in a marriage!
It is really a sharing of one’s life with another. Now, I can say I understand when the Bible in Genesis says the man will become one with his wife.
This is the true gift God has given us. Dio and I have been become one without losing our individual identity. It is a small sampling of what God has in store for us in heaven!
Again! Thank you God for this amazing and loving gift in the form of my husband Dio. May we have another 20 years as fruitful as what we had in the last ones! (In the near future, the story of how we met!)
This road trip is another puzzle piece to be added to my journey of putting together pieces of moments which make Life meaningful for me. The unique encounter we had twenty years ago provided by God created a wonderful puzzle piece to be explored in another moment. (Please read more about my journey by clicking on: About Me and Why Rochester Became Home)
What memorable event did you have during 2021? Why don’t you share it below!
This is such a sweet anniversary trip. It is so important to celebrate each other. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and we love taking trips together and discovering new places. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Erin! Finally, I was able to get to moderate your comment. I am so proud of my husband who was gifted to me by God when I made a special request back in December 1999! Everyday I thank the Lord for him. I’m glad that we can share something so important in our lives!
Beautiful photography! The pictures really create an amazing visual! Very inspiring as a God centered marriage is one thing I strive for.
I prayed to God and he gifted me with Dionisio. He is not the father of my kids, but they love him as a father! I give thanks everyday for this amazing man! That’s why I wanted our 20th anniversary to be special. He deserves it!
Hi Emily – What an inspirational story! I am so glad that you and your husband got to enjoy this terrific journey. Every day is truly a gift from God – and He has blessed me with two best friends for wives at different times. He took my first one home to Heaven in 2010, but blessed me again when I was ready in 2013…and we just started our own travel blog. Many blessings to you and Dionisio!
How amazing is God that he sent you another person to accompany you the rest of your life! I can tell that it’s a special relationship full of love! May God continue to bless you both during this journey in Life!
What a wonderful trip! Sounds like you & Dio really appreciate each other. That is such a gift. Thanks for being a wonderful testament to marriage & the power of prayer!
We do! Everyday We feel blessed with our marriage! Our marriage is based on good communication and keeping God in the loop.
Happy Anniversary. Cheers to 20 years! Your blog and your pictures are absolutely beautiful. I definitely want to visit Niagara Falls one day, and you certainly inspired me all the more. God bless you and Dio with many more wonderful years.
Oh thank you for your kind words! God has been good to us. We like to share our story to others so they can see that God does wonders. God is good all the time!
I didn’t know Niagara had an aquarium. How fun! Glad you got to celebrate with an amazing trip!
We had gone to Orlando, FL Aquarium. It was an awesome experience. So, when we found out there is one near the Niagara Falls, we decided to visit it. Another amazing adventure! We fully enjoyed our second honeymoon!
Congratulations on 20 years!!
Your photos are beautiful and so is your story. Wishing you many more years of love and happiness.
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos! At the time of writing this blog post, I had so many photos (206) to choose from, I had a hard time to know which ones to put!
Looks like a great time! I believe God gave me the perfect husband for me as well. This is the second time around for us both, we are celebrating our 10th anniversary this month! Your post and photos are great! God is Good!
In my case, it was my second time. When I met Dio, I was his first and only girlfriend! Sweet!
What an awesome trip Emily. Me and my family visited Niagara Falls way back in the late 80’s. I recall the trip vividly because those falls are memorable!
Ryan
They are memorable! That’s why we chose it for our 20th anniversary.
Qué gran viaje para celebrar su aniversario y cuán gratas experiencias. Le ruego al Señor que les brinde muchos más años de vida, repletos de amor, salud, dicha y prosperidad.
A pesar de la Pandemia, se decidió celebrar nuestro 20 años de matrimonio de manera especial. Estos 20 años lo hemos gozados y vividos con la alegría del Señor! ¡Estar en el piso 14 en el hotel tan cerca a las nubes fue una experiencia maravillosa!
Where there is a will, there is a way.
I agree. Though sometimes I forget it! Then God sends me a reminder!
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