You may follow me for all things food and nutrition but I also want you to get to know the real me! So, if you’re interested, check out our engagement story. If not, feel free to browse some of my posts on nutrition!
Since I don’t make it back to the midwest very often, I like to pack my time full of visits with friends and stops at all my favorite places. I was able to choose the day’s activities for my birthday, with a few stipulations from my younger sister, specifically that we didn’t have to drive more than 2 hours. I chose Algoma, WI- a small town on lake Michigan I had only previously been to in the dead of winter but has a local winery and brewery. We would then get back to my mom’s in time for a cookout dinner of steak and burgers, ending with my grandma’s homemade apple pie!
I had planned on everyone riding together in my older sister’s boyfriend’s suburban but Manny kept insisting that we ride separate. Rather than question him, everyone loaded up and we headed north. We lucked out with a beautiful day and started out with a wine tasting at Von Steil Winery. If you’re ever in the area, check them out- they have everything from bubbly to dry reds, and lots of fruit options. Plus their store has tons of cute gifts and home decor items! We did the paid tasting of 5 wines, plus the complementary 4 wines before tipsily stumbling next door to Ahnapee Brewery. This place is so cute as it’s an old garage turned into a brewery. They even have snacks, which we passed up as we had plans to visit a loca cafe next before heading to a brewery we had passed on the way into town.
After lunch, we were all still a little tipsy and since the day was sunny and warm- perfect for late September-we decided on a walk along the lakeshore. If you know me at all, you know I’m sure to end up in the water. My shoes came off and I waded into the frigid waters. Even though the day was nice, the water was pretty cool. Rather than freeze off my toes, we headed up to the breakwater ( a rock wall that surrounds the marina, protecting the boats from the big waves). My family made it about halfway to the end before the wall narrowed and the waves started splashing over. Everyone was turning back and I was set to go when Manny begged me to keep going. He said he had never been all the way out in Lake Michigan and didn’t want to miss the chance. We made it to the end and as I was staring out into the lake, Manny got down on one knee. The waves were splashing us while he professed his love for me and asked me to marry him. I obviously said yes! It was such a magical moment being so isolated on the water yet knowing I would get to celebrate with all my favorite people!
I’m pretty sure we floated back to shore (I was on cloud nine, obviously). When we got back my sisters were jumping up and down and we celebrated the special occasion with a bottle of champagne my sister had bought at the winery and hid in her purse. We stopped at Moose Knuckles Brewery on our way home and celebrated with a round of beer and board games.
I am truly blessed to have found someone who loves me completely and made such a momentous occasion so personal yet included the other people I love most in this world! We spent the rest of our vacation wedding planning and celebrating with friends!
- Stop Throwing Away Your Food - January 30, 2021
- Caffeine, Coffee, and Your Health - September 30, 2020
- What to Eat for Breakfast on Your Wedding Day - June 23, 2020