For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. – Jeremiah 29:11-14

Today – Monday August 18 – is the 35th anniversary of the day Rebekah and I were married. Yay, us!

Taking off for Italy has been our official celebration vacation. And, just like the ongoing adventure that is our life together, we planned for our tour to be out of the ordinary. There’s nothing run-of-the-mill about our relationship, and “Italy 2014” has pushed the envelope too.

VICENZA: Today I want to highlight Vicenza, the city where our son works. We wanted to soak in the environment – so what better way than to simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere? Andrew had to be in the office, so Alicia showed us around.

Architecturally, Vicenza is a gem. So today’s post will be short on history and long on photographs.

Vicenza is an ancient city, dating to pre-Roman times. It is home to one World Heritage site, plus a huge concentration of important villas and palaces built by Andrea Palladio (1508-1580).

Overall, Vicenza is historic, interesting, attractive, and walkable. Like most Italian communities, you park on the edge and then navigate the town center on foot.

GOOD FOOD: First, Alicia found us a great place to eat an excellent (and relaxed, that’s the key to enjoying meals in Italy) lunch; then Rebekah and I hit a couple of the more notable historical landmarks while Alicia sat in the park to read.

FAMILY: The history is interesting, and the architecture is sublime; but for us the signal beauty of our day in Vicenza was being able to enjoy a relaxed experience with our daughter-in-law.

You’ll see a couple of candid photographs of Alicia with Rebekah; and what I hope I’m able to communicate is how much joy it gives us to get to know the wonderful people our children have been smart enough to marry.

So today, as Rebekah and I celebrate 35-years of our Great Adventure together, we feel deeply grateful, and abundantly blessed.

We’re thankful for one-another, thankful that Andrew and Alicia found each other in Italy, and thankful that Naomi and Craig found each other, somewhere on the ocean between Seattle and Alaska.

I like the way the prophet Jeremiah talks about such great comings-together: “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.

Tomorrow we’ll take a look at Venice. In the meanwhile, enjoy the rest of these photographs of another new favorite Italian city: Vicenza – DEREK