March 2013-Caity and I went to go watch our ward's mens basketball team play Saturday ball at the stake center. Halfway through she points at this guy on our team and says "Who's that?? He's cute." I actually had no idea WHO it was, but it turned out to be David Bennett. After a few conversations and Sunday group dinner invites, Caity and DB went on their first date and like they always say, the rest is history.
I've had a LOT of close friends get married, but this marriage was probably the one I "called" the fastest. Almost immediately you could tell that Caity and DB were meant for each other. Seriously. They were joined at the hip and got along SO well. And because of them dating I met all the boys that lived in DB's house (T, Spencer, Jordan, Trent, Russ, Michael), who quickly became some of my closest friends in DC. It was nice to go over to hang out with them and be able to still see Caity on a regular basis. They FINALLY got engaged in February and decided shortly after that they would get married in Boston. Caity is actually from Northern California, but DB is from Boston and they are obviously living in DC-so they decided it would just be easier for everyone to have it on the East Coast and in Boston.
I was SO grateful for this for two reasons: 1) I didn't have to spend $500+ on a plane ticket to CA, and 2) I have never been to Boston.
...Can you believe it? A history major and self-proclaimed America nerd that has never been to Boston? Even though I grew up on the East Coast?
I know...Crazy.
So I immediately began to make plans to be there at the end of June. I wanted to have time to do all the historical things necessary, as well as go to a Red Sox game. Breanne, Trent, and T were going to come with me, but their plans fell through and they weren't able to go. So I recruited G to come with me instead and we had a great time.
i decided to drive so that i wouldn't have to rent a car while there and left DC Friday around noon. i knew i would hit some traffic, but figured i would get to Boston around 9 or 9:30pm, right as G's flight was arriving. but don't worry, it took me 12 HOURS to get there. 12. soooo much traffic. it took me seven hours alone JUST to get to NYC. i took this selfie and sent to G before things had gotten bad. look how happy i am.
passing NYC on the George Washington Bridge. had to take a pic...the skyline takes my breath away every time.
i finnnnnnally got there and G took me up to our room. he has a ton of points with Marriott because he travels so often, so we stayed at the Boston Marriott Cambridge. our room was on the 23rd floor and we had a GREAT view of the Boston skyline from across the river. the hotel is right next to the MIT campus, so we felt a little dumb all weekend, but you know. whatever.
view in the daytime.
G and I got dressed and had breakfast in the hotel before going to the reception site and picking up Caity's bouquet to bring to the temple for pictures after the sealing.
isn't this a gorgeous temple? it reminds me a lot of Washington, in that its right next to a highway and when you come up a little hill its just right there-bam. so beautiful!
they're married!!!
after taking pictures and having sandwiches at DB's house, G and i decided to drive out to Concord before the reception and have a historical moment.
the reception was held at the home of a family friend of the Bennett's and was just gorgeous! i loved it so much. very beautiful and no fuss. i just love these two! i am so grateful that i was able to come up and be here for their big day. we sent them off in style then proceeded to stuff all their things in my trunk so i could take it back to DC with me and they could retrieve it after their honeymoon.
G and i went back to the hotel to change and then walked around Boston Common and Beacon Hill until it got dark. just beautiful!
Sunday we got up ready to walk and be historical. first, we did what we do best...eat, duh.
after this we took the T over to Boston Common to begin the Freedom Trail! seriously the most convenient thing for a history nerd because you can hit so many sites all at once. we began at the Massachusetts State House and followed it around the city.
walked around the Granary Burying Ground and had an emotional moment thinking of the men who were buried here and just how important their courageous actions were. i was here!!! so cool.
the Old South Meeting House. this is where angry people of Boston gathered one night in December 1773 to discuss what to do with the taxable tea that was sitting in Boston Harbor. the now famous "Boston Tea Party" was the result.
the Old State House Museum and Boston Massacre Site. the Boston Massacre occured here in March 1770, and the Declaration was read from this balcony in July 1776.
Faneuil Hall. we didn't go in here but we ate lunch at Quincy Market on Monday, lol.
took a little detour during the walk to get cannolis at Mike's. OMG. so good.
#bestiesinboston.
Old North Church. "One if by land, two if by sea."
the
USS Constitution. it is actually still listed as an active duty ship with the United States Navy and is the world's oldest commissioned vessel still in use.
looking out over the stern of the
USS Cassin Young, a World War II-era destroyer now in use as a museum ship and docked at the Boston Navy Yard.
our last stop was the Battle of Bunker Hill monument, which looks like a mini Washington Monument.
i so enjoyed the Freedom Trail, but i was sooo excited to stop walking and go to Cape Cod, haha. we enjoyed the little drive down and stopped in Hyannis Port to take some pics before going further north and stopping at a little beach to get out and sit for a while.
it was just gorgeous. very rocky but very beautiful. i would love to come back some time when i have more time...on the way back we stopped for ice cream and a lobster roll for G and then decided we HAD to stop at Plymouth Rock, even though it was pretty much dark outside.
Monday i got up and went to the Adams' historical site run by the National Park Service. the first real presidential biography i ever read was David McCullough's "John Adams" in the summer of 2008 while i was volunteering at The White House. i would read every day on the metro and became immersed in his life and how it fit into US history. the site in Quincy consists of three homes: the home he was born in (the brown one), the home he and Abigail raised their young family in before and during the Revolution (also in which John Quincy Adams our 6th president was born), and the home he and Abigail resided in during retirement until his death in 1826, a home known as "Peacefield". i had the best time on my little tour group and wanted everything in the bookshop. im such a nerd.
after that i met G at the JFK library, which i have been DYING to go to forever. people ask me all the time who my favorite presidents are and by now you may know they are GW (duh), Truman and GW Bush. JFK isn't one of my "favorite" presidents, but he is probably the president that is the most interesting for me to read/learn about. he was a complex man and politician-the more i learn about his scandalous private life, the more i question my respect for him as a person in general-but there are some things i do admire about his presidency. i believe he was a good leader, especially in his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis. and of course the tragic circumstances of his death and all of the questions we have surrounding it that may never be answered are just as intriguing.
also...i watched the miniseries "The Kennedys" a couple years ago and recently rewatched it, and while it has a come under some fire/critic, i have to say that i LOVE Greg Kinnear's portrayal of JFK...i already liked him as an actor but in my opinion he did a fantastic job. and Barry Pepper's performance as RFK was amazing as well.
also...im currently reading "The Kennedy Half Century" by Larry Sabato and it. is. fascinating. i can't put it down. highly recommend.
ANYWAYS heres some pictures.
we ate lunch, got some more cannolis for Marissa at Mike's then headed to FENWAY PARK to see the Red Sox play the Cubs. this was my first time there and i felt like i was on a pilgrimage to baseball Mecca. i've already been to Wrigley Field and old Yankee Stadium, so i just needed to go to Fenway to complete my old stadium experience. it didn't disappoint...we were sitting by this cute older couple, and the man put his Cubs hat on during my photo moment, ha. the Cubs pitcher had a no-hitter going through 7 2/3 innings-only 4 outs to go and he gave up a hit! ahhhh it was so sad. can you imagine...my first game at Fenway and a no-hitter??? agh. nevertheless, it was an incredible night and a baseball memory im sure to never forget.
i had an absolute incredible time in Boston. im so grateful that i finally got to go and i can't wait to go back some day!
