Where do we begin? How can we describe our stay at this home? It almost feels like a dream or something we imagined. Yet here we are, several months later and we are still talking about it, our very real Hawaiian vacation and our new favorite home away from home. The welcoming atmosphere, marvelous views, gentle breezes, the fragrance of tropical blooms, the sense of peace... all of these things are still so present for us. And it's not just our experience alone... our loved ones, fellow guests still reminisce, recalling days spent by the ocean in complete relaxation, total bliss. Several people have expressed that they could easily stay there forever and we would have to agree. Is it possible to feel so nostalgic about a place you just visited? One of the things we equate this all to is the desire to re- visit one's childhood, sweet memories of a time when there were no worries and few responsibilities. All you did was enjoy and absorb every minute, most of it spent exploring the great outdoors. This is how we feel about our time in Hawaii, our first visit to paradise. We remember pulling up to the Robertson Home with a bit of uncertainty. We were exhausted from a long day of traveling many miles from New York and by the time we arrived it was dark and difficult to see. This was our first time on the Big Island, in Kona, at this place. And all we knew about the rental was based on the website, our emails and talks with the house manager and a few pictures and feedback from previous guests. There was so much more about the place we had yet to discover. When we got out of the car we noticed that it was more quiet than we were used to back home, very tranquil and calm. Once we started walking up to the house, we were anxious and excited, despite our fatigue. We could see some of the lovely exterior and the moment we entered and turned on the lights we just knew this was a wonderful place. Immediately, we made our way outside to the lanai and the backyard. We could barely see the lawn and palm trees lining the property, but one thing was certain... we could hear the ocean and were astonished at how close the water and beach was to the house. We were jumping for joy, thrilled with our choice and the fantastic location. Our family members who were staying with us were amazed as well.

The very next morning we woke up early, eager to explore the house and property. It was so special to gather with our family in those first moments, to see these people who had come from across the country to be with us. We could all feel the sense of warmth, of family... which came from our own closeness, but also from the house itself. The home has a spirit, a life of its own- hard to describe, but ever present and welcoming. It was easy to become comfortable and to feel at home here, even on the very first day. There was an instant sense of familiarity, like staying at an old friend's beach house, one that you have visited many times before. There's something about the splendid rooms, antique furniture, family mementos, wooden floors, the textures, the surroundings that is just magical. On our first morning we could not believe our eyes... we could see the ocean from our bed in the upstairs master bedroom. Even more spectacular was the view from the upstairs balcony, as well as a gorgeous view from the outdoor lanai. All of us were in awe. The ocean was so beautiful... so bright in its various shades of blue, postcard perfect. And what made this view all the more special was the fact that we were also looking at our wedding ceremony site... right on the grassy lawn, framed by a natural arch of palm trees, overlooking the endless Pacific. We knew that we chose the perfect place to exchange our vows.

Memories of Hawaii and of our wedding will forever be tied to this home and the surrounding land. We will look at our pictures years from now and remember how fortunate we were to have chosen this setting. The gratefulness we feel for the people in our lives and the wonder we have for natural beauty was expressed perfectly at this ideal location. There is so much more we could say about our time in Hawaii... the magnificent sunsets, our visits to the charming town of Kona, various Big Island adventures. Still, all those things were just a part of what made our time there so special. Central to our entire vacation was the home we stayed in, the property we enjoyed so much. Many thanks to the resident sea turtles, for allowing us to swim and snorkel in their gentle blue waters. A special thank you to the property caretaker, James, for making us feel so welcome, for attending to our needs and for sharing Mango. Thanks to the very friendly and lovable dog Mango, for relaxing on the lanai with us, making us smile every day. Sincere appreciation to house manager, Thi Kim, who helped us book the Robertson Home and Seaside Zen Cottage. Thank you for giving us the unique opportunity to rent two wonderful beach front homes side by side, to have our own little utopia. Last but not least... Mahalo to the Robertson Family for opening up your home, for creating a place where our friends and family were able to experience the most incredible vacation, to enjoy the beauty of Hawaii together. It was an honor for us to celebrate our love there, to have this once in a lifetime event in such a glorious setting. We felt the true spirit of aloha and we know that when we return, it will be like coming home.