Life of a Marine Wife: From Sunrise to Moonrise

While it has only been a week and half since my last blog post, I feel like I have so much to catch up on already! And while I prefer writing over simply using pictures for updates, this post will have to be a combination of both in order to document all of our adventures packed in to these last weeks without completely tying myself down to the computer for hours on end.

We discovered another amazing hike, the Lanikai Pillbox Hike or the Ka'iwa Ridge Trail. It is definitely one that will be on our visitors' to-do list for anyone that is interested. This hike is recommended to be done either before sunrise or before sunset, although I am sure any time of the day would probably be just as amazing. However, in order to spice things up a bit, a group of us decided to make the hike early in order to watch the sun rise over the Mokolua Islands off Lanikai Beach. We met at the bottom of the trail at 4:30am, equipped with headlamps, flashlights, and glowsticks, and made the trek up the small mountain to the WWII bunkers, aka pillboxes. Although the hike is a short one, only about 30-45 minutes to the top, it still manages to get your heart-pumping as you ascend a steep incline and climb up a rocky path. We were the first people to the top and sat together in the predawn light waiting for the sun to rise, our feet dangling over the bunker's edge and the precarious cliff below. A scattering of twinkling lights lay spread out below us in the small towns of Kailua and Kaneohe, like stars lighting up the night sky. Even while we waited for the main event to start, so-to-say, this peaceful moment when most of the world was still sound asleep, was quite magical in and of itself.

As we waited for the sun to come up (singing amongst ourselves, here comes the sun, doo doo doo doo), more and more people began joining us. We were surprised to find out how popular this hike was, even at this early hour. However, we didn't mind in the least. In fact, the crowd brought a dynamic energy to the atmosphere, especially the group that brought music. The bunker-top took on a festive air and all of the sudden, this simple and most ancient of natural occurrences, one that is truly as old as time and that we all have come to take for granted, became a joyful celebration. It was a beautiful glorification of a new day!

Here is a short video from the top of the pillbox:

The trek back down the mountain was equally as beautiful, as the terrain that was previously covered in a blanket of darkness, now revealed itself in the new day's morning light.

Jordan and I also celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on June 13th. It does not seem possible that we have actually been married 5 years already!!! With all of our moves and exciting experiences living in new towns and exploring different parts of the country, the time has truly flown by. On our wedding day (those of you that were there may remember), we had each table sign an "anniversary card" with words of wisdom and wishes for each of the big anniversaries, starting with the 1st year anniversary, and then every 5 year milestone after that. I have been so anxious to read these cards, and have had to restrain myself thus far from taking a peek into what everyone wrote. Our first anniversary card was signed by the head table, of all of our bridesmaids and groomsmen, and we had the best time reading it and reflecting back on that day and those we shared it with. I was so excited to be opening up another one this year! Well wouldn't you know it, but after 4 years of anticipation, our anniversary card is being held hostage, along with the rest of our household goods, in storage until we move in to our house! I guess it will have to be something to look forward to and will hopefully make the ever-overwhelming and exhausting unpacking process a bit more exciting.

The traditional 5th year anniversary gift is wood, which signifies the strength and solidity of one's relationship. Jordan was in need of a new wedding ring, the last of which he lost somewhere between taking it off for flying and removing it before working out. So we were so thrilled when, a few weeks earlier, we came across a Koa wood and tungsten wedding ring. Koa wood is native to the Hawaiian Islands, and has been used traditionally in Hawaiian history, from the ancient outrigger canoes to the very first surfboards and ukeleles. It is truly at the heart of the Hawaiian culture. Koa means "warrior" in the Hawaiian language and has come to symbolize strength, bravery, boldness, fearlessness and the warrior spirit. And quite perfectly, tungsten is the material that Jordan's original wedding ring was made of. These compounded layers of meaning and symbolism within this one ring and of this specific anniversary gave me goosebumps, as it could not have been a more perfect symbol to encompass and commemorate our 5th wedding anniversary in Hawaii. I am hoping this ring is actually unique and "hippie" enough that Jordan makes a better effort to keep track of this one.

Jordan also surprised me with a beautiful, decorative wooden sign. I have been wanting one of these signs with the phrase, "Let's Do Sunset" for a while now, as that sentiment reflected our daily routine back when we lived in Carlsbad. All of our time on the East Coast gave us a renewed appreciation for watching the sun set over the Pacific, and the sunsets at Tamarack Beach never disappointed.

Just one of many, spectacular sunsets witnessed in Carlsbad

I absolutely love the thoughtfulness and meaning behind this gift, and once again I could not be more excited and anxious to finally move in to our home, so I can proudly display this new piece.

We were especially spoiled this year to even be able to have the day to spend together, as Jordan just happened to have Friday off of work. Most anniversaries, the USMC has been Jordan's date for the day. Again, it was just too perfect! Friday the 13th was turning out to be quite the opposite of unlucky! We spent the first part of our day frolicking in the turquoise waters at the beautiful Kailua Beach. After a couple hours, our skin now feeling crisp and tight with a dried layer of salty ocean water, freshly baked in by the powerful Hawaiian sun, we headed back to our apartment with our newly acquired golden hues to get spruced up for our big plans: our first hawaiian luau! I have been looking forward to a luau from the moment we stepped off the plane (or more realistically, since the moment we knew we were moving to Hawaii), but we decided to hold off and save it for our anniversary. All the anticipation and the excitement of this long awaited excursion was met with a show that far exceeded all my expectations! Not only was there the traditional pig roast, hula dancing, live music and fire-dancing that you come to expect at luaus, but before the show even started there was also fire-making and hula lessons, spear throwing games, and head-dress weaving. The whole evening was amazing, although I'm sure Jordan's favorite part was simply the all-you-can-eat hawaiian buffet.

Kailua beach with a view of Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay in the background.

Shell leis, painted hawaiian tattoos and our personally made head-dresses, we are now accessorized for the festivities!

The spear-throwing game, and yes Jordan is barefoot!

The official start of the luau, with the chief ceremonially blowing into the giant conch shell.

The luau was set against a magnificent backdrop of natural beauty, nestled at the base of the majestic and overwhelming Pali (sea cliffs), and on a flat expanse of land in the Makapu'u Meadows overlooking the coastal waters of Waimanalo Bay. Throughout the night we were treated to a lesson in history and were immersed in the heritage of the Polynesian culture through various dances and musical performances, each representing a different time period or style from the various islands. And like a 4th of July fireworks display that continues to grow in grandeur, culminating in the dazzling splendor of the grande finale, each dance performance continued to captivate us even more than the previous one, culminating in a spectacular and exhilarating fire dance led by the Chief, a world-champion Polynesian fire-dancer, and his ohana (family). We were blown away by the entire production, which also had us in stitches of laughter with the comedic routine simultaneously woven in throughout the show.

As if this day wasn't already special enough, we were treated to one final gift. We have been told that it is a tradition to watch the moonrise over the Mokulua Islands from Lanikai Beach on your anniversary. If it wasn't already apparent by now, let me just tell you, I love all things to do with tradition! So of course we just had to conclude the evening, two champagne glasses in hand, by heading down to this beach by our house to take in the moon.

Friday, June 13, 2014 just happened to coincide with a rare "honey moon," the first one of it's kind in 95 years. As I randomly learned earlier that day when I stumbled across an article in Hawaii News Now, "Every full moon in June is known as a 'honey moon,' but what makes this year's so rare is that it coincides with the perigee, which is the point at which the moon is closest to the Earth, making it appear larger in the sky." This rare occurrence of coinciding events won't happen again for another 84 years. It was literally a once in our lifetime moon! I mean, come on, how amazing is that? I'd say we had a pretty lucky Friday the 13th anniversary this year!

The moon starting to rise behind the hills at the luau

Although we had a hard time capturing the moment on camera, it was a beautiful and serene sight, and one that I hope to share with Jordan next year on our anniversary as well.

Well it seems even with letting the pictures do most of the talking, I have still managed to spend a few hours on this post. So with that being said, I'll just wrap it by summarizing that the three of us (Gunns of course is always included) have spent the rest of our time at the beach, reveling in God's beautiful glory and magical creation!

This guy absolutely loves riding in the "truck," eyes closed, ears flapping in the wind, and mouth open in what looks like a smile.

And since the Corpus Christi grass-experience has forever traumatized Gunnar to grass in general (the poor guy gingerly and hesitantly places one foot lightly in front of the other every time he attempts to walk on it these days), he absolutely goes wild for the sand, where he runs and bounds for hours on end, chasing after his frisbee.