Dreamin’ of the Weekend: Maui Lovin’

(via the incredibly talented lovelies at Joielala – thanks Taryn!)

So a few times in the three decades leading up to this point in my life, there’ve been quite a few moments when I feel so happy, I could almost pinch myself.  Life at that very moment just seems sooooo good, and I don’t want the moment to end.

Like…

During Christmas, when I’m surrounded by the people I love the most in the whole wide world – for a whopping two week vacation!

Or, through an amazing twist of fate, when my job leads me to a country I’ve only seen on TV before.  Hello, Roma’s Trevi Fountain!  Let’s make a wish, shall we?

OR, while I’m away on a vacation in a tropical location with people I love… CUE SONG: Beach in Hawaii

(via)

Such was the case for Memorial Day weekend a couple weeks ago.  Meant to be a nice, long weekend in paradise spent with both my BF (who had QUITE a few tricks up his sleeve – more on that later)…

…and my ever-sassy counterpart Jonathan…

…the paradise that is the island of Maui became even more meaningful to all of us.

Because our collective karma is obviously WAY intact, the three of us managed to stay at the magnificent Grand Wailea for free.  Don’t ask how… we’re just good like that.

The waterfall upon entering the grounds.

The lobby of the hotel.

And the lush gardens with exotic plants and flowers everywhere you turn.

For four days, armed with magazines, pineapple drinks and sun block (which yours truly didn’t quite utilize as often as she should’ve), the three of us baked by the pool…

… and enjoyed the grotto/swim-up bar (shout-out to Richard, THE most easygoing, sunshine-y hotel swim-up bar bartender one could ever ask for).

We ate fresh seafood at restaurants like the famed Mama’s Fish House.  It is TOTALLY worth the hype.  Amen to macadamia nut-encrusted Mahi Mahi.

And we spent some quality time in the hotel’s yummy spa.

It seemed like quite the vacation, right?  Oh, but that wasn’t ALL that happened on this four day jaunt to the Islands.   Oh, no.

You see, said BF had known about this trip for a few months.  He wasn’t going to let the weekend pass with just the usual spa treatments, pool lounging and other standard luxurious activities.  He needed to ratch it all up a bit.  Make this vacation one to truly be remembered forever.

So how did BF go about doing this?

CUE SONG: Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Well, it started with a nice afternoon walk down by the chapel on the grounds of the hotel.

It was a perfect Saturday late afternoon.

My BF looked at me, and he said:

AND….

He asked me a question.

Can ya guess what it was????

Let me give you a hint:

My wonderful BF is no longer just my BF.  He’s my… FIANCE!

Now THAT’S how you do a vacation!!!

So as I floated back into my little Southern California beach existence and looked back at our time in Hawaii…

I decided that all the sun, sand and sea was wonderful…

But what really made the trip truly magical was the love felt throughout the weekend 🙂

This post is dedicated to my shiny, new fiance, with whom I ALWAYS feel like I’m in paradise.

xoxo,