Week of Love

Adytum: Sanctuary in Greek: (www.adytumsanctuary.com) has been reveling in love these past few weeks. Starting with the Ward wedding September 18, and including not only Donn’s and my own anniversary, but a 50^th anniversary celebration (both couples from Olympia and Port Orchard) we are now looking forward to another anniversary and birthday celebration this weekend here. Adytum has become a house of love and celebration…

Julia had several wedding venues booked: The Chelan Winery and the Avalon Hotel on the river in Portland before realizing, “Why didn’t I think of Adytum?”  Julia and Chris were here in February celebrating Chris’ birthday and were part of our “soft opening” or trial guests. They came and enjoyed a spa weekend with an onsite massage, champagne and chocolate fondue. In exchange, they shared honest appraisals of their experience so we could bring it to the highest level of satisfaction possible for future guests.

It seemed so right to have them say their vows here. And of course, it rained and all 37 of us came inside and made a fairy tale come true for Julia and Chris in the Tower Room overlooking Lake Mayfield close to sunset. It was intimate, magical and they looked just like an old Hollywood couple, she with her exquisitely lovely long white gown – when I saw her I nearly dropped to my knees…. and Chris looked exactly like a movie star…

One of the overnight guests mentioned how incredible Adytum was to a Chehalis dental office manager and suddenly we found ourselves hosting yet another intimate celebration; a 50^th wedding anniversary! Champagne on ice, gold rimmed crystal glasses, two dozen red roses in their suite and little heart shaped healthy carrot cakes awaited the foursome…It has been so much fun having all this love contained in the Sanctuary Adytum…This week,  couples from Massachusetts, Vancouver and California come…and again the birthdays and anniversaries and spirit of celebration continues.

I learned a principle long ago from my mentor, author Alexandra Stoddard who has written so many books now. It is called the 5% principle. We all have fine things and they are usually tucked away and brought out a few times a year at best. Alexandra taught me years ago to USE the things that are lovely every day. Celebrate every day. Live as well as we can in every moment and we will end our life with a string of memories like a pearl necklace. This month, Adytum has been the castle in which the pearls of great price, memories that are priceless, have been created.

I hope this inspires you to love…to finding your precious things to spoil your loved ones with. To celebrate your life.  In the end, all that really matters is love.