My husband and I recently celebrated our 30th anniversary. We usually like to do something special to mark the occasion, and my husband has come up with some great ideas over the years. For instance, one year we spent the weekend in downtown Mystic, taking a sunset sail onboard the Schooner Argia. Another year we enjoyed a sunset cruise along the Connecticut River. One year he even set up dance lessons at the local Arthur Murray dance studio!

However, this year I wanted something just a little more special because, well, 30 years is a long time! Previously, I had envisioned doing something very casual at our beach that we lived in at the time. During the festive 4th of July celebrations in our neighborhood I had wanted to do a brief vow renewal, inviting our neighbors to join us on the beach, and have some cake.

But then we moved. We are currently living in another amazing beach neighborhood, but I don’t really know that many people yet. There were other things that would have made it more difficult, but I had my heart set on renewing our vows, in honor of our 30th anniversary, on the beach, at sunset. So I told my family, and it somehow came together better than I ever could have imagined.

Preparation for our 30th Anniversary Celebration

I asked a co-worker and friend, who is an amazing baker, for cookies individually wrapped in bags. These would be to hand out to people on the beach. I also asked her to make me a small cake. She asked to see my wedding pictures, and she ended up making me a cake that resembled a smaller version of my own wedding cake. She made the cookies in all shapes – wedding cake, beautifully decorated hearts, etc. These incredible treats started to make our little vow renewal more special.

My girls became my bridesmaids. They surprised me with a bouquet of flowers that resembled my own wedding bouquet. I really started to feel like I was getting married all over again!

My girls decorated a golf cart and we had a little procession down the street to the neighborhood beach, just as a beautiful sunset was beginning to happen. It was here that we had a small group of friends and family join us as each of my girls said some beautiful and heartfelt words. It was my turn next, and then finally my husband’s. By the end we were all crying tears of happiness, love and joy.

Just as I had envisioned, we then handed out the individually wrapped cookies to people on the beach. Then we celebrated with cake and a champagne toast. For lack of any better words, it was an amazing, love-filled night. I did bring my camera with me because I knew I needed to get at least a few photos for myself.

Linda Sobolewski is an on-location, natural-light, professional photographer specializing in seniors, baby, family & children photography.
Linda Sobolewski Photography is based out of Old Saybrook, CT and serves the Connecticut shoreline and surrounding areas.

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