This past weekend Calvin and I snuck away to Savannah, Georgia to celebrate our 9 year wedding anniversary. Where has the time gone!? I knew we needed time to get away - but, I didn't realize how overdue the time really was. With the many changes in our life this past year, we haven't had the opportunity to reset - just the two of us. Several months ago, we decided we would use these dates to step away and enjoy the time exploring new places, eating fun food, and relaxing with one another. We laugh because we actually spent way more time than we'd like to admit just sleeping.  😂  To maximize the time we knew we wanted to do three things:

• Remove distractions of the day-to-day so we could have focused time with one another. (i.e. Work, cleaning, to-do lists, etc.)

• Spend the focused time (away from children) dating each other and enjoying each others company.

• Allow time to rest and recuperate from life and work.

We chose Savannah because it holds special memories for us. We spent time here when we dated, a little of our honeymoon, and we've gone back throughout our marriage. It's a great mixture of slow-paced with activity on every corner.

I think the buildings are my favorite feature of Savannah. The combination of stone, brick, and pops of color get me every, single, time! I always leave here feeling so inspired!

We spent some time walking around and checking out the numerous boutiques and antique shops - so many treasures to be found. Had a great chat with the owner of The Attic Antiques. Its been there for over 30 years. He shared some of his stories of owning an antique shop in Savannah along with the challenges of being in a growing tourist location. The city is getting ready to build a 6 story hotel behind his store, blocking this gorgeous view. I'm glad I was able to snap this shot. 

Calvin and I will typically schedule time at least once a year to connect with one another in a more intentional and deeper way. We talk though a set accountability questions that have proven to be really helpful for us. Deepak Reju has put together a thorough set of questions titled "A Do-It-Yourself Marriage Retreat." I encourage you to take a look at some of these. Even if you don't use every question, there are a number of them that are helpful regardless of your background.

It rained most of our time in Savannah, but we didn't let that deter our desire for exploration. We just grabbed an umbrella and braved the city, weather and all!

I had to throw this picture in because, well, the moss - simply beautiful! Also, I love photos that capture textures and varieties of color, and for me, it's all about pops of color. This moss is so beautiful and enchanting to me - a fun and under-appreciated resident of Savannah's historic district. 

In the evening, we loved walking along the river in the historic district. Each night was filled with exploring the town, sweet conversation, and some kind of tasty seafood. And! I came across a pearl while eating an oyster dinner! 

Savannah has some AMAZING options for food. We barely scratched the surface in terms of restaurants. However, here are some links to some great places to check out if you are ever in the area.

Huey's Southern Cafe
Dub's - A Public House
Fiddler's Crab House
The Grey
Sorry Charlie's
Le Café Gourmet
Savannah Coffee Roasters
The Coffee Fox

I mean, all of the door envy! 😍 I must confess, I love doors - every single one of them. There's a story behind each of them and every one of them invites you to imagine the lives and stories that walk through them day by day.

What a fun mini get away! As we approach our anniversary, I find myself reflecting on the many ways I’ve (thankfully) grown and changed. I'm so beyond grateful Calvin married me 9 years ago and that he’s been such a constant! This man has been my guy for over 12 years and I cannot, and don’t want to, imagine my life without him. 

I can't even handle how gorgeous this is! 🙌🏼 I love the contrasting colors and unique character all tied up in one. Each section has its own story to tell and I love imagining the many different lives that have been lived in one building. I'd love to live in a spot like this for a short season.

The Kehoe House is a beautiful bed and breakfast just off East Broughton Street. Calvin and I stayed here during our honeymoon. It was nice to walk back in and be flooded with memories of being there as newlyweds. We would DEFINITELY recommend this spot. Many of the rooms have windows that open up to porches overlooking a quaint little park. If you're ever there, check it out!

Next time Calvin and I visit Savannah, we decided we wanted to stay at the Thunderbird Inn. I mean look at it! You should check out the link above and the great room options they have to offer. What a completely fun spot!

The downtown area has great shopping, restaurants, and other fun activities. I was continually surprised by the excitement and life inside each building we passed by. It only made me want to come back and experience more of this amazing city.

Needless to say, we were not ready for the weekend to be over. We look forward to planning our return trip in the near future.

Thanks so much for reading!

I'd love to hear about your favorite spots in Savannah. Be sure to leave a comment below.

|  Credits: Author - Jacintha Payne; Photography - Calvin and Jacintha Payne  |