Nina and Roesner
Karri-Leigh and Joe
Where: Los Angeles
Kids' Ages: 4, 6
“My husband and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary last year, and like any father of young children, he was dying to get me away from home for a night. But, knowing me as well as he does, he knew that taking me out of town immediately after work on a Friday would ruin my weekend with anxiety over 'abandoning' my kids. Instead, he booked us the perfect stay-cation. We spent Friday night as a family, in a beautiful hotel suite, of the same chain in which we spent our wedding night. Room service breakfast on Saturday was a HUGE treat for my kids, after which we dropped them off [with a sitter], and enjoyed a beautiful concert, dinner and romantic night to ourselves.”
Christine and Frank
Where: Long Island, N.Y.
Kids' Ages: Three teens
“When I was undergoing surgery to remove breast cancer from my left breast, my husband participated in a feng shui ritual. I purchased an 18-inch red string, and nine days prior to my surgery I cut it in half. One half stayed with me, and the other half went to Frank. We each kept the ribbon on us for all nine days prior to surgery. On the day of my surgery, Frank had his piece in his pocket and mine was tied to my hospital bracelet. The premise behind this ritual was that it encouraged good fortune in health for someone with an illness. The cutting of the string represented our ability to be connected even when we were apart.”
Nedua and Torsten
Where: Cornwall, England
Kids' Ages: 5, 2
“When our two boys were 4 and 1, and at a time when I felt very stressed about future plans of returning to work, Torsten surprised me with a ‘Me Day.’ He had bought me my favorite magazine, and then he and the boys dropped me off at a café so I could relax there on the big sofas, read undisturbed for a whole hour—that does not often happen—and it was utter bliss. However, an even bigger surprise came when I got home again: My husband, with the help of the boys, had made a cake for us to share.”
Lisa and Bryan
Where: Washington, D.C.
Kids' Ages: 4 years; 6 months
“In May 2013, for my 35th birthday at eight months pregnant with our second, my husband surprised me with a birthday weekend. He told me on a Friday to pack my bags, and he whisked me away, child-free, to a hotel in D.C. We went to dinner that night where I was presented with a personalized menu. On Saturday, my hubby showed me video recordings on his computer of family and out-of-state loved ones sharing their well wishes. He also orchestrated a surprise maternity shoot for me that day with a professional photographer at the hotel we were staying. On Saturday afternoon, he surprised me again by having my bestie flown in from Illinois so she and I could spend quality time together. I had not seen her in a year! Sunday was an intimate brunch with my family. Best birthday present ever.”
Jennifer and Karam
Where: Los Angeles
Kid's Age: 7 months
“For our first anniversary, after having had our first bundle of joy, my hubby surprised me with a penthouse suite at a five-star hotel, complete with panoramic views of L.A., champagne on ice, chocolate-covered strawberries, a thoughtful anniversary-music playlist and a trail of red rose petals leading to the master bed, which had a heart and our wedding date written in red rose petals. It completely melted my heart.”
SaKarra and Carlee Bey
Where: East Orange, N.J.
Kid's Age: 3 months
“My adorable man created a night of all my favorite things and fulfilled a lifelong dream. He came home with roses, gifts and a heartfelt card. He also secured a babysitter, and took me ice skating, which I have always wanted to do. Followed by a trip to my favorite restaurant, where I got to have wine, a delicacy for a breast-feeding mom. This was the perfect way to get me out of the house and bring back my spirit.”
