!! First Wedding Anniversary – May 21st 2017 !!
Our first anniversary was absolutely perfect! For many months now I have kept this secret from Alicia with the only knowledge being that we were indeed flying somewhere. On Friday, May 19th, my brother-in-law, Spencer Schmidt, picked the two of us up at 4am and took us to the airport. We went inside to the self-check-in kiosk where she watched intently as I dialed in our reservation code.
‘TORONTO!?’ she exclaimed. ‘What’s in Toronto!?’
Confused as ever, we passed through security and boarded our plane. Upon arriving at our destination, Alicia’s Aunts, Debbie and Suzanne, were there to greet us and drive us back to their home in Niagara on the Lake. Completely wiped out and starving from our mornings travel we found a nice, little, off the highway BBQ joint called Memphis Fire Barbeque Company (OMG they are so good!!). After ‘linner’ (lunch/dinner) we continued onward to Suzanne and Debbie’s home where we visited, napped and premiered the first showing of our wedding video – filmed and edited by my sister, Elycia Tammpere (thank you! 🙂 ). After some tears on the beautiful memories we retired for the evening. The next morning was enjoyed with a fantastic homemade breakfast of steak and eggs, with a side of avocado, followed shortly after with some touring around Niagara on the Lake.
Later that evening, after some serious conspiring and sneakiness, Debbie and Suzanne reloaded the vehicle with all of our luggage and dropped us off at the Marriott Hotel. Alicia was again speechless, unaware of just what exactly was going on. Following me inside, I checked the two of us in to our room on the 12th floor overlooking Niagara Falls in all of it’s splendor and glory. The room was equipped with a dual-sized jetted tub and king-sized bed, where we enjoyed a romantic evening together ;).
Sunday was our official anniversary day (May 21st)! Feeling relaxed and stress free, we rolled out of bed and down to the hotel lobby. Starbucks in the hotel is stupid-expensive, but we were in desperate need of a caffeine fix! Once my girl was taken care of, Alicia then asked, ‘what now?’ To which I replied, ‘to our magic carpet ride!’ I had booked an entire day-tour starting at the Fall’s edge and then onwards to a boat ride upon the Maid of the Mist which took us directly into the falls itself. This truly spectacular day was then followed up by a buffet lunch at the Sheraton hotel, over-looking the falls. Afterwards, we were taken along the Niagara River to the various touristy photo stops, finishing up with a wine tasting at Reif Winery. To top it all off, our amazing day ended with a spectacular fireworks show which we watched from our hotel room, cuddled up in our jammies and with a late dinner. The site of the fireworks coupled with the light display from the falls was breath-taking!
Monday gave us the whole day to do anything we pleased! We spent some more time with Suzanne and Debbie; going to a wonderful french crepe restaurant where we met this hilarious and outgoing fun waitress named Star. Later that evening, we walked up Clifton Hill which is filled with fun attractions, very reminiscent of the streets in Disneyland. We checked out the wax museum, which was pretty impressive. The both of us got our picture with Ironman.
Tuesday saw the end of our trip and return home, but overall we had an amazing first anniversary! Filled with adventure, surprises, family and friends! A special big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this trip a reality, we love you all! Please check out our new wedding video, online now! Anniversary photos are soon to follow! And if you have still not signed our online guestbook.. why do you hate us? 😉
Matt & Alicia