2007, Hike to Kauai waterfall

2009, Maui

Starting sometime in the 1990's through 2012, I would meet Steve in Hawaii almost every October.  We created a Hawaii fund every year to finance a nice meal for the two of us at one of our favorite Hawaiian restaurants.   Throughout the year, we would toss our loose change into a piggy bank and various jars.  I usually put in pennies to Steve's quarters and it got to a point where he guilted me into putting in bills vs. coins to keep up with his contributions.    

Our annual Hawaii trip would usually start with Steve being in Kona on business for the Hawaii Ironman.  I would fly in from New York to meet him after the Ironman and we would have our yearly vacation.  

Over the years, after exploring The Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai, Steve and I decided Kauai was our all time favorite Hawaiian island, with Maui a close second.  For the last 6-8 years that we vacationed together in Hawaii, we had our vacation plan down to a science.  I would book our frequent flyer tickets months in advance (Steve would always roll his eyes at me, when I started asking him for October booking dates in January) and in 2005, we found a condo in Kauai (Ali'i Kai #3204) that we loved and rented for many years.  Since we had done all the touristy things in years past, our Kauai vacation was focused on just chilling out with no particular plan for the day, other than getting morning coffee in Hanalei at our favorite coffee shop, Java Kai.  After our down time in Kauai, we would fly to Maui where Steve would participate in the XTERRA race and then we had a few more days of down time before heading back to New York. 

Hawaii was a mystical, enchanting place for us and I will always treasure memories of all the amazing times Steve and I had there.

And when we slow danced to our favorite song in our living room, Steve would always have to remind me that he wanted to lead the dance whenever I tried to assume the lead position :-)

"Always And Forever" by Heatwave (continued)

...Every day, love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me, you really care
And we'll share tomorrow, together
I'll always love you ever, ever

Always forever love you
Always forever love you
Always forever love you
Always forever love you

Always forever love you
I said forever, ever love you
Love you forever, ever
Always forever love you, you
Forever

2012 Ironman Lake Placid

2007, Kauai hike to waterfall

Slipped Away

Through the Lens #12

Need I say more?

2013, Miami Beach

Always and Forever, Part II: The Later Years

2006, Molokai

The Hawaii Fund

Always and Forever, Part I: The Early Years

1984, Bonaire

2003, picnic at a friend's house

2010, Kauai

2011, Kiss at lavender Farm, Maui

2012, Poipu hike

2010, Selfie in our house

2009, Hike to Waterfall, Kauai

2007, Ke'e Beach, Kauai

2006, Kauai.

2005, Lanai

2015, Hawaii Fund

1982, Shelter Island, so much in love

Kona, year unknown

2005, Lanai

2002, Tarzan on Kauai hike

1984, Shelter Island, we always had each other's back

Steve and I had so many wonderful moments together.  It seemed like they would go on forever.  Our favorite song was "Always and Forever" by Heatwave and sometimes Steve would sing it to me while we slow danced in our living room. 

"Always And Forever" by Heatwave

Always and forever, each moment with you
Is just like a dream to me that somehow came true
And I know tomorrow will still be the same
'Cause we've got a life of love that won't ever change and

Every day, love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me, you really care
And we'll share tomorrow, together
I'll always love you forever, forever

There'll always be sunshine when I look at you
It's something I can't explain just the things that you do
And if you get lonely, phone me and take
A second to give to me that magic you make and...