The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Austin stirred from a peaceful slumber, feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the day. He stretched, savoring the moment before reaching for his phone on the bedside table.
As he scrolled through missed texts, a notification caught his eye: “20th Wedding Anniversary in 3 Days.” His heart skipped a beat. He had set the reminder a few days ago, determined not to let the date slip by like their 19th. That year had been a whirlwind, consumed by his journey toward sobriety. Lucy had been understanding, insisting that his health was the priority, but Austin couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt for not celebrating their love properly.
He sat up, his mind racing with ideas. This anniversary needed to be special—something that would show Lucy just how much she meant to him. After a moment of reflection, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.
There was a quaint little cabin by the lake where they had spent many weekends early in their marriage. It was a place filled with laughter, late-night talks, and the promise of a future together. They hadn’t been back in years, and the thought of returning there filled him with excitement.
Austin envisioned the trip: a cozy getaway with candlelit dinners, walks by the water, and evenings spent reminiscing under the stars. It would be a chance to reconnect, to celebrate the love that had carried them through thick and thin.
He quickly jotted down notes in his phone, planning the details in his mind. He wanted to surprise Lucy, to create an experience that would remind them both of the journey they had taken together.
After finishing his thoughts, Austin slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Lucy, and headed to the kitchen. The aroma of coffee filled the air as he prepared breakfast for the family. He felt a renewed sense of purpose, fueled by the anticipation of what was to come.
As he cooked, he couldn’t help but smile, thinking about how he would share his plans with Lucy. This anniversary would be a celebration not just of their years together but of the love that had grown stronger through every challenge.
Once breakfast was ready, he called the kids down, excitement bubbling inside him. Today would be a good day, and he was determined to make it a great one for Lucy, leading up to their special celebration.
Planning the Surprise
After breakfast, the kitchen buzzed with the sounds of Mia and Noah playing quietly in the next room. Lucy sat on the couch, engrossed in a book, her expression peaceful and content. Austin felt a wave of gratitude wash over him as he watched his family, but he knew it was time to share his plans.
He stepped outside, taking a deep breath of the fresh morning air, and called out to Lori and Timmy, who were lounging on the porch.
“Hey, you two! Can I talk to you for a minute?”
They looked up, curiosity piqued. Lori, with her long hair cascading over her shoulders, and Timmy, with his ever-present grin, wandered over to him.
“What’s up, Dad?” Timmy asked, leaning against the railing.
Austin gestured for them to sit on the steps. “I wanted to talk to you about something special—our anniversary is coming up, and I want to make it memorable for your mom.”
Lori’s eyes lit up. “Are you planning something big?”
“Sort of,” Austin replied, a smile creeping onto his face. “I want to take her back to the cabin by the lake where we spent so many great weekends together. It holds a lot of meaning for us.”
Timmy nodded, understanding the importance. “That sounds awesome! Mom would love that.”
“Exactly,” Austin said. “But I need your help. I want it to be a surprise, so we’ll have to keep it under wraps.”

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Bikeriders Serenade
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