Thoughts on an Anniversary

Yesterday was Machel's and my 8th wedding anniversary. We didn't really celebrate; but we never really have. It's not in our either of our natures to make a big deal out of time. But it has given me reason to think back over the past year and the good fortune we've had.
In a time when people have been stuck underwater in their mortgages, we've paid off the note on our house; when credit has been hard to come by, we've improved our credit scores and financed our first new car.
Chel graduated college, and in a job market that's tight in her field picked up a full-time job. When a lot of people have been struggling to make it, she's been able to use her hard-earned skills to monetize her hobby.
I'll be the first to admit, it hasn't been all wine and roses; but with the majority of the bitter has come sweet. We found out that the chances of us having a child were slim to none; but we learned we will become Aunt Chel and Uncle Deege to a fourth child on my side of the family, my baby sister's first. My mother-in-law moved in with us after taking custody of my sister-in-laws youngest two and subsequently not getting her rental agreement renewed, and hasn't left yet; but we've gotten to spend time with them we otherwise wouldn't have. {And yes, I'm trying very hard to find something good for us that has come out of the situation. Because otherwise, I probably won't be able to play peacemaker when Chel finally snaps and issues a great big FU to that side of the family.}
This year hopes to be better; we've got a week in Vegas planned for Chel's birthday in October with a couple of friends. But I wanted to do something a little sooner. We've both been really stressed, and definitely lacking in "alone time", both by ourselves and with each other. So, not this coming Saturday but the next; I'm stealing my wife and taking her to Wichita for the weekend; ostensibly for our anniversary, but more just to get away for a little while.
I had thought about staying at the new Hampton Inn attached to the casino in Dodge City; but chose the Hotel At WaterWalk instead. Wichita has better shopping and a wider variety of dining than Dodge, and for the same nightly rate as the Queen room at Boot Hill, we are getting a King Suite instead. Besides, we've already got the Vegas trip planned, no need to blow all our fun money before we get there.
We don't do stuff all that often. Partly because money has been tight the past 10 years -- with the house paid off the belts can loosing a tiny bit -- but more because we've always been happy to sit at the house and enjoy each others company. With that option... limited right now; I'm gonna take every chance I get to give my wife the opportunity to unwind.