Monday we went and explored Heidelberg. I absolutely fell in love with this city!! It is a beautiful city situated on the river with a huge castle looming over. It seemed every corner you turned, the streets were even cuter! Narrow cobblestone roads filled with quaint shops and restaurants. Mopeds and bikers were everywhere. It was love at first sight :) First we made the hike up the hill and explored the castle. It was absolutely gorgeous, and the views were amazing. We had a picnic lunch right beside an awesome view of the castle. After walking around the parks and such up there, we wandered down and visited some little shops and grabbed some ice cream cones! Then we walked across the old bridge. It was so romantic! This was my favorite spot, because you had awesome views of both sides of the city and a beautiful view of the castle. And you could watch all the little boats floating below. We then took the hike from hell. Ha! we went across to the other side of the river, and I for some reason wanted to get up high to get a view of the city from this side. Well, there was a trail going up.... but this trail was all cobblestone, and probably the steepest trail I've ever walked up. I honestly thought I was going to collapse! And let me tell you, the view was pretty, but not worth that hike! We had pizza for dinner at a cute restaurant, Mercato. (By the way, I hate eating pizza with a fork. You're supposed to pick it up!!) Overall it was an absolutely perfect day with my husband in gorgeous city!!
Monday was also Memorial day. I think it's very important for Americans to look at this day as a solemn day of remembrance, not just a day off work. Thousands of Americans throughout history have paid for our freedom with the most sacred price, their lives. It humbles me to think of how incredible the hearts of those men and women are. If only we could have an ounce of the courage that they had. Whether it be marching forward into a sea of guns and cannons in the Revolutionary War, or driving through deserts hoping to avoid landmines and gunfire in the current war. Sometimes, I feel like among the military community, every day is Memorial Day. Not a day goes by that we aren't consciously aware of the freedom that Sean is fighting for, or those that have gone before us. I've spent months without my husband, and watched friends experience the same loneliness. Waiting, hoping that they come home safe to you. Everyday when I see my husband in that uniform, I'm reminded that he is a hero, serving something even bigger than our little family. It touches a very soft place in my heart when I see cemeteries lined with those crisp, white crosses. Because not only does that represent a hero lost, but it also represents the tears of wives, mothers, children, and friends.
I hope that every time you see an American flag, not just on Memorial Day, you are reminded of all those many lives that were taken, so that you could freely go about your day.
Freedom is not free.
