Wednesday's What If's Post…"What If It Was Your 50th Birthday? Where Would You Go?"

So, my sweet Jim is turning 50 in March and he is finally talking about it! Much to his dismay, come March 15th he will reach that birthday that we all think isn't really going to happen! I've asked him and asked him what he wants to do to celebrate the big occasion! Of course, he has been very reluctant until recently and I for one am very glad to see his spirits lifting and see that gleam back in his eyes! His sweet parents are throwing him a big bash the weekend before his birthday which should be a lot of fun!

After that, he's decided the two of us should go somewhere! And I for one wholeheartedly agree! The problem now…is WHERE?

Do we go to our usual destination of choice which has always been St. John. We celebrated his 40th birthday, our 20th Anniversary, my 40th birthday and then our 25th Anniversary in St. John and loved every minute of it! In fact, we've even taken our kids a few years ago. 

There really is no comparison to anywhere in my book…it's that beautiful! And yet, I wonder…do I like it because it's so familiar? We know how to drive around the island, we know the restaurants and it's comfortable and relaxing! 

We always love the view from our room…love the service and love the relaxed Island feel! However, we've stayed in some other pretty wonderful places as well.

Like the Riviera Maya in Mexico! That was loads of fun and we went with several wonderful friends! It was a great time!

Then, there is the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine if we wanted to do something really different than the island scene! We sure had a great time there! We've been with both sets of our parents and each time it was truly spectacular! 

The setting is fabulous!

And the restaurant is to die for! If we wanted to stay state side this is a top choice in my opinion!

But then, there is the beautiful Broadmore Hotel in Colorado Springs! What a glorious place to stay! We've stayed there many times for business way back when…I always enjoyed it!

Or, we could finally go see the wine country! We've never been! Even though I spent several of my growing up years in California, I was way too young to even remember a lot of it, let alone enjoy Napa! I sure would love to visit one day! Hmmm…I may have to put this bug in Jim's ear!

It's just too beautiful to not get to experience! I know we would love it!

Or, we could always return to Paris and make a business trip out of it as well! Who say's you can't shop for antiques on your husband's 50th birthday? ( well, that would probably be the husband!) No matter, he loved it there as well! Our stay was fabulous! We enjoyed each and every place we stayed….

The Villa Gallici in  Aix-En-Provence….their rooms and the hotel as a whole is phenomenal!

The service was the best ever…just as the service in Paris was!

What better view than from your window at The Lancaster Hotel in Paris?

And we loved the wonderful bed and breakfast 'The Bastide Rose' as we drove down to Aix!  It was all fabulous!

Including Normandy! ( which was actually the first part of the trip!) What a way to start!

But I think he's dreaming of somewhere we haven't been…somewhere to get away..for us to explore and learn someplace new…Is it Greece?

Santorini maybe? Oh, how I wish!

The Greek Isles would be so lovely…Jim's parents just returned from a fabulous cruise there…What a way to celebrate your 75th birthday!

Italy is also on the top of our dream places to visit!

Northern Italy looks like a dream to me!

And we could always go back to Maui. We actually thought about this for Miller's graduation trip but then he chose to stay close to home…bless him! 

There is truly nothing like good old Hilton Head Island, South Carolina! I knew I raised that boy right! What a fun trip we had!

 I would certainly be in heaven in The British Virgin Islands if that is where Jim chose to go! Just look at The Baths! How fun!

We've never been to Jamaica together though…he went with his family when we were just dating…many moons ago!

They would certainly change their brochure to have our picture as the advertisement once we'd been there!

 ( somehow, I just don't think so! )

Our daughter and her husband went to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon and loved it! That might be fun! 
There are truly so many choices…places we've already been to and loved and they all sound wonderful and familiar. I'm someone who likes that! This time however, Jim is wanting something different. 
I think that is part of turning 50! I guess I will know this feeling very soon…as I am next! Not for another year though! 

He has his sights set on something tropical from what I can tell. He talked to our travel agent today about St. Lucia. 

What do you think? Have any of you been there? I would love your input! I've always wanted to go to Cabo San Lucas and then Holly suggested Turks and Caicos…I've also always wanted to go to the Cayman Islands ever since I read John Grisham's book, 'The Firm'! I know I'm silly for basing it on that! No matter, St. Lucia looks beautiful! I just want it to be wonderful! And memorable! And fun! And it will be…as long as we are together! That is truly all that matters! I want this to be the most special birthday ever!
Thank you all so very much for your extra sweet and extremely caring and thoughtful comments on my last post! I truly treasure each and every one of your friendships! As for those lunch offers, I would go in a heartbeat! 
Have a wonderful rest of your week! Can't wait to hear your fabulous suggestions on a dream trip for Jim's 50th!
If you get a chance, stop by and "like" my son's Facebook page Saunders Bradford and you can see their give away as well as the wonderful work they do on remodels and new construction! You can also check out their website HERE!
 ( Yes, I'm a proud Mama!)

Much love and many thanks for your encouragement lately!