Marriage and Costa Rica and Surprises, Oh My!
We’re in shock. For a lotta reasons.
First off, it looks like we’re going to have the opportunity to get married here in Washington State. This sort of news came once before, when we lived down in Oregon, without a stellar end result. It was ruled unlawful.
Regardless of what might ultimately happen here in Washington State, or our mixed feelings about the institution of marriage, we’ll rush to the front of the line in order to add our voice and to pave the way for those that will come after us. It’s our duty.
Anyhow.. all of this marriage hype here in Washington has had us thinking a lot about the union that really matters to us. It’s the commitment we made to each other years and years ago. No officiant, no formality, no nothing. Just us, deciding that we were in it for the long haul. We made it official and celebrated during a three-week getaway to Costa Rica. Three vacation weeks in a row was a big deal back then when we were doing the corporate thing.
As a matter of fact, it was exactly this time of year. It was our first big international shindig together. Our parents made us call when we landed – what a crack up.
So, on the night that the big news was announced here in Washington, we went out to celebrate at our favorite neighborhood place. We raised a couple glasses, talked about progress and spent a lot of time recounting our time in Costa Rica. We remembered how – a couple years ago – we had thought about going back to Costa Rica. We pieced together an itinerary and even started making some reservations. Reluctantly, we called it off. Planning a re-visit to a place that holds such significant memories – where we had about the best three weeks ever – started to seem like an exercise in futility. So, we dropped the idea of going back and decided to return to Costa Rica only if we were forced to. “Maybe we’ll win a trip,” I said at the time. Um, right.
A little buzzed – and flying high after our celebration – we wanted to show the universe we were grateful and spread the joy. We did one of our little surprise “pay it forward” things and slapped down a 100% tip for our waiter. Little did we know, as we laughed and joked on the walk back home, that the next day would heighten our already through-the-roof bliss.
Get this. That very next day… The day after expanded marriage rights were initially announced here in Washington – and we spent the evening celebrating and longing for Costa Rica – we got notified that we were selected as winners in Costa Rica’s “Gift of Happiness” campaign.
Yep, we won a trip to Costa Rica so are being “forced’ to go back. Now that’s a surprise. And serendipity. And awesome.
So, yes, we’re shocked and happy. Content that we’re making progress towards equal rights and pumped that we’ll be able to celebrate all over again in Costa Rica.
Well, yay! And yay!
Thanks, Nancy
Enjoy Costa Rica! Enjoy marriage! Enjoy, basically!
Appreciate it, Robin!
Congrats on Costa Rica!!! But you guys get married in Washington State, wouldn’t that be your second marriage?
Yes, exactly! But the first one was technically annulled (how dramatic).
Wow! That’s karma!
I don’t know – we do a lot of stupid things too (things that would not necessarily lead to good things coming back!)
Oh wow that is amazing. What a great feeling… I’m a huge believer in karma and well if this isn’t evidence for it I don’t know what is. Ahh the two of you make me smile every time I come on y’alls blog. I too hope one day to make that commitment to a man, but for now am happy with enjoying the world.
Thanks, Jaime – you make us smile too. Especially when we think of that gelato we all enjoyed in Rome.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! I am so happy for your both. That is so awesome and I couldn’t think of two more deserving people. Enjoy married life.
Thanks, Meg. It’s not done yet… maybe we’ll change our minds.
Fantastic! Congratulations! Very happy for both of you!
Thanks, Steven – we appreciate it!
Wow, what a stunner! Congratulations on all fronts! We went to Costa Rica almost 10 years ago for a week and loved it. In fact, we liked the coffee so much there, we still order it to be delivered here by the case.
Can’t wait to hear more about the trip you won.
We’re very excited to go back (even though the development has been explosive in recent years!)
Don’t worry, we’ll write about all the details. We’re hoping that this time there are no snakes involved, as was the case last time.
Awesome all around! Congrats & enjoy the trip! I guess just don’t try to recreate the trip you did before, it’ll never be the same. But hey, free trip to a place you love sounds great. I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun!
Absolutely, Ali! You will not hear any complaining out of us.
It’s funny how things work out. What a great opportunity!
It IS weird how things work out. As we titled one of our posts… you just never know.
Congrats on so many fronts!! I hope Washington State does the right thing! I totally understand your hesitation in returning to a place that holds the best memories. Sometimes they are meant to be left as memories. BUT…the UNIVERSE obviously thinks you have more memories yet to make in Costa Rica. So allow. And enjoy!
Great way to look at it, Jules. Thanks for your message!
Wow! Costa Rice! That’s really a big deal. That must be such a wonderful place. I wish I ever had the chance to get there…
It is a big deal – we still can’t believe it.
Three weeks in Costa Rica???! YEAH!!! You’re already the happiest people I know, but you will come back so relaxed. Would love to see you two married aw.
And we have some Costa Rica chattin’ to do before we go. We must download info from your brain
You can’t argue with the plans the universe has for you, and I couldn’t think of two people who deserve that trip more. Also: Food. Soon.
Thanks, Shannon. Yes, food anytime
Congrats — both on the trip and on a long marriage.
Thanks, Lane and, yes, we’re in it for the long haul with or without “marriage.”
Congratulations! On everything!
Do you think it’ll only take a 100% tip to get Washington State to make the right decision?
Let’s give it a try
I’m sure we’re in for a bit of a battle and, likely, a vote in November. We’ll be on our best behavior in order to influence the karma gods as positively as possible. It’ll be tough, but we’ll do it.
Yay. Congrats! Please write a lot about Costa Rica. I went last year and want to relive vicariously through you!
Will do!
Yesss, I’m loving the momentum! Now if only DOMA would go the way of the dinosaurs already….
And I have a brilliant idea!! You two should get married at the top of the Space Needle.
Good throw back to a previous post. Maybe we can get married up there and then bungee jump off.
Don’t get us started on DOMA…
How i wish I could go in this place sounds really great place to visit..Thanks for sharing..
Yes, Costa Rica is a great place to visit.
I love this!! I’m a big believer in karma and paying in forward and hearing about things like this (especially when it happens to good people) makes me really happy!
Thanks, Edna!
You guys definitely deserve it! Enjoy!
Thank you, Stephanie!
Nice to have such wonderful memories of a very special place — and then to win a trip to go back there — awesome. I’m sure that 100% tip had something to do with it. I’ve got to try that.
Here’s to equal marriage rights everywhere!
Yes, here’s to marriage equality everywhere!
We know that good news – like bad news – passes. So, when we have bursts of good news, we try to pass on the positivity. Oh, and the 100% tip probably barely got us out of the hole from all the mis-steps that week
Congratulations on the marriage and the trip!
Thank you, Erin – we’re looking you up down there!
Awesome news all around! I recently asked my daughter where she wanted to go on vacation and she said Colorado and Costa Rica. She wants to zip line through the trees!
You mentioned mixed feelings about the institution of marriage…I hear you on that but regardless of how you choose to do it, a commitment to spend your life with your soul mate is an amazing, connected, beautiful thing. And no government, group or person should determine its “lawfulness” or rightness for any of us. Steven and I hold a glass up in celebration with you!
Your daughter has very good taste – and, clearly, a sense of adventure
“And no government, group or person should determine its “lawfulness” or rightness for any of us.” = brilliant!
Thanks for the well wishes!
Lots of good news for you this week! Hope you have an awesome time in Costa Rica!
Thanks, Jeremy. I’m sure we’ll have a great time. We’ll write all about it in exhaustive detail, I’m sure
OMG! Congratulations!!!!!!! Costa Rica has been one of my dreams for a long time now. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Maybe we’ll do an #OccupyBeach moment. Ah, memories.
Oh, that’s very cool. Congratulations (for everything)!
Thank you, Gray!
No surprise here. You guys are great, happy, positive good souls. And as for the marriage thing, congrats as well! Though, yes, no damn institution of marriage means anything anyhow. It’s about the love and that’s it!
Thanks, David – glad to have you in our corner!
Another sign why everyone should believe in Karma and Fate. Congrats to both of you! Looking forward to hear more about the wedding and costa rica plans
There will be a marriage (but no wedding). There will also be lots of Costa Rica planning going on. Stay tuned.
What a great story! We won a trip through them as well – going this summer!
Now I think we need to leave a 100% tip for a waiter somewhere, too.
Thanks, Miss B. What do you say we Skype when you get back?
When I saw ‘the opportunity to get married’ I actually GASPED (stop, picture it…ok continue).
I am overjoyed by this post and am once again reminded of how sneakily the world plays fun little tricks on us.
Congrats boys. Have a marvelous time in Costa Rica.
Brock – you paint a perfect picture. I can totally see you doing exactly what you described in that first line.
Thanks for the positive vibes.
Wow and yay for you two! Looks like you are off to a great start to the dragon year
We sure are! Now when do we get to meet?
Wow! That’s amazing guys. I’m so happy for you for everything. When is the wedding date? And is Costa Rica going to be the honeymoon? It always amazes me how when you put something out there in the universe, it gives you exactly what you need. Here’s to an amazing 2012!
Thanks you two. We won’t have a wedding, and our life is one non-stop honeymoon. How nice is that? We just excited to stand up an be counted.
An amazing 2012 right back at you. You’re off to a fantastic start as well
SOOOO excited for you about Costa Rica!!!! I just hope you don’t get put in the same “luxury” jungle tent as I did
You two deserve this and the right to be married and every other amazing thing that comes your way. xoxo
No… that won’t happen
But I’m sure we’ll have plenty of our own drama.
Thanks for the sweet words.
Wow! Congratulations on both counts!
Congratulations! What an inspiration you are to us all!
YES! YES! And YES! You two definitely deserve it. I love paying it forward when I can and it’s so nice to see you being rewarded for it. You two will have an absolute blast.
We’re hoping that Washington state pulls through with marriage equality. It’d be another great reason to celebrate while in Costa Rica!
Wow, congratulations on manifesting a trip to Costa Rica!! And whether you choose to get married or not, I agree that it’s time for equal rights and equal opportunities. In fact, it is WAY overdue.
Awesome awesome awesome! Congrats on that! that’s amazing!!