I (Julie) was head over heels for Jeff when we were friends in college. By the winter of our sophomore year, Jeff was equally in love with me and we were eager to marry right after graduation.

 

Jeff studied for his Masters of Divinity in NY, while I worked after recovering from a long case of mono after our first year of marriage. When Jeff said “in sickness, and in health,” he meant it.
 

On our fifth anniversary, our precious little girl, Kayla, was born. Twenty-one months later, her darling sister, Rachel, completed our young family.

We spent the next season of our lives in Cincinnati, Jeff pursuing his PhD and me caring for our children, while he also started a real estate business.

 

This was a tough season.

 

Experts say that marital satisfaction is the lowest when children are under the age of three. Plus, the business was more difficult than we expected. We learned the hard way most of the time. At one point, Jeff said to me, “I can’t be kissing you while I’m bailing water!”

Thankfully, Jeff’s parents lived an hour away, and they encouraged us to spend time together, just the two of us, while they took care of our girls.

 

We had little money, but it was always good to get away together locally, even for just one night. It helped us reconnect to our original love for one another. It was hard for me to not be in constant contact with the girls, but they were happy and well-cared for, so I could relax a little.

Eventually, we moved to Harrison, Ohio, where Jeff became a full-time pastor. We love our community, and we serve with our whole hearts, yet Jeff tended toward workaholism. Getting away together to hotels in nearby cities kept the flame glowing in our relationship.

 

The togetherness was good, but the hotels were disappointing. They didn’t offer enough cozy ambiance to really enjoy the setting. Bed and breakfasts were an improvement, but still lacking in the privacy we desired.

When our girls were teenagers, our last getaway for five years took place in Arizona for a pastor’s retreat in June 2018. This was two months before our older daughter departed in a non-reckless accident.*

In my grief and being over-protective, I simply could not leave our younger daughter. Meanwhile, Jeff was finding healing alone in the woods backpacking.

Experts also say that couples who lose a child are likely to divorce, but we gave one another the freedom to process the loss in whatever way we needed to grieve at any moment. This was so freeing, and we had compassion and empathy for each other and for our younger daughter.

Though Jeff and I did not get away together in those years, we nurtured our relationship at home as best we knew how. Rachel is now happily married, and we are enjoying the empty nest phase which includes frequent getaways.

Jeff had been hiking in the Red River Gorge area for years and thought it would be a great spot to escape to together. It is only a 2.5 hour drive for us, so that is a bonus!

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We wanted our own place to get away to. A place that is beautiful, private, romantic, refreshing, and fun. While planning, we thought beyond ourselves. We know all couples need special time together, so we design and decorate cabins not only for ourselves to enjoy, but for others, too.

We believe the investment you make in your relationship will create lasting love. Come see for yourself!