Two Weddings, One Love Story

Chris and I just celebrated our 20th anniversary, and we did it in the most "us" way possible — geeky, nostalgic, and full of character (literally and figuratively). If you’re on the hunt for 20th anniversary ideas that are a little outside the norm, we’ve got a fun one for you.

But before we get into the celebration itself, let me rewind for a sec.

We legally got married in the fall — fresh out of college and right before we moved from Tennessee to Florida for jobs. But our “big, pretty wedding” was planned for the following spring, and that’s the date we’ve always celebrated as our main anniversary. The bonus? We get two anniversaries to enjoy each year. Not mad about it.

Geeks at Heart (and on License Plates)

Now, if you know us, you know we’re unapologetic geeks. Our license plate literally says GEEKS. We met right after the first The Lord of the Rings movie came out, bonded over the books, and worked at a movie theater together — which meant 12:01 AM private employee screenings were part of our dating life at Real to Reel in Johnson City, Tennessee. Chris even ran projection back when movies were still on film, and he somehow managed to save a trailer reel for The Return of the King, which premiered on my birthday. That movie will forever have a soft spot in our hearts.

A Hobbit-Sized Getaway

So when we started brainstorming fun 20th anniversary ideas, Chris stumbled upon an Airbnb that basically screamed us. Tucked away in the Texas countryside was the Lovers Hobbit House — a round-doored, cozy little rental that looked like it had popped right out of the Shire.

⇧ The front of the hobbit house was absolutely adorable. It even had a round door! It was super-heavy and I had to have Chris open and close it.

⇧ Me peering out from within the tiny house. The ceilings had a max height of around 6 feet, so both of us were randomly bumping our heads throughout our stay (and laughing each time). It definitely made the experience authentic.

This was actually our very first Airbnb experience, and honestly? We couldn’t have picked a better one. The Hobbit House is located behind an old farmhouse, surrounded by several converted outbuildings, each available as its own separate themed rental. They all have unique personalities, but ours? Ours was pure magic. The big round door, the 6’ ceilings (and shorter in places — which we kept forgetting, oops), and the charming details made it feel like we were on a mini Middle-earth getaway.

⇧ The kitchen came complete with everything we would need for our stay. We had ordered takeout from a local Bonefish Grill, and were able to store our leftovers until we left the next morning.

⇧ The kitchen window overlooked our private patio/garden area. It was quite a lovely view, and the tiny house itself was located in the country.

We booked it for just one night — not because we wanted to rush it, but because we were really booking for the experience. And it did not disappoint.

⇧ Isn't this the most unique bathroom you've ever seen? The bathroom space was divided by a curtain and another rounded doorway. (Notice the cutest wooden tub.)

British Snacks and Second Breakfast Vibes

We picked up takeout from Bonefish Grill, turned on The The Lord of the Rings for background ambiance, played games we brought from home, and absolutely filled the space with laughter.

⇧ The hobbit house hosts had a guest book that they encouraged guests to sign. Chris snapped this photo of me while I was writing about how much we enjoyed our stay.

⇧ Chris couldn't even stand up straight — it was so funny! Yes, his head is touching the ceiling.

Earlier that day, we’d also stopped by one of our favorite shops in the DFW area — The British Emporium. Visiting their stores in Richardson and Grapevine has become one of our favorite traditions. It’s like stepping into a little corner of the UK, filled with British sweets, snacks, groceries, and novelty items. We grabbed a few nostalgic treats (from the time I lived in England) to munch on throughout the night, and suddenly we were college kids again… just with a little more back pain and a stronger bedtime routine.

⇧ Before making our way to the hobbit house, we stopped at The British Emporium to pick up some tasty treats and salty snacks.

And then there was the bird...

The Unexpected Guest

While we were playing a game, we both heard a chirp. One single chirp. We locked eyes. Then it chirped again — longer, more musical. And again. Turns out, a bird had taken up residence in the wall near the TV. Not a baby bird — a full-on adult soloist. This diva sang sporadically all night long. The irony? Three cats lounged outside our door every time we came or went. That bird had some serious luck (or nerve). We couldn’t stop laughing about it, and it’s one of those weird little stories that’ll stay with us forever.

⇧ Chris took a few minutes to illustrate a little pic of Gandalf in the guest book.

Revolving Sushi and a Robot Waiter

The next morning, we checked out and capped off the weekend with lunch at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar — a brand new revolving sushi restaurant that had just opened near us. While Chris had been to one before, this was my first time, and I was delighted. The concept is brilliant: sushi and appetizers travel around the restaurant on a conveyor belt. See something you like? Grab it! When you're done, you slide your plate into a table slot, which counts your plates toward a running total. And drinks? Delivered by a ROBOT (!!!!). You better believe our inner geeks were living their best lives.

⇧ The next day, we stopped at a brand new sushi restaurant near our house. Revolving sushi (and other items such as appetizers and dessert) make their way around the restaurant on a conveyer belt.

Yes, there was a very vocal baby in the booth behind us (in an otherwise empty restaurant, go figure), but even that just added to the chaos and charm of the day.

A 20th Anniversary Present That Fit Us Perfectly

Looking back, our 20th anniversary present to each other wasn’t flashy or over-the-top — it was perfectly us. A little quirky. A little nerdy. A lot of love.

And if you're celebrating your own love story soon — whether it’s your first anniversary or your fortieth — we have a few heartfelt suggestions. Our Wedding Gift Guide features handcrafted ornaments that are perfect for weddings, anniversaries, or simply honoring the journey you’ve shared.

Designs like the Interlocking Hearts and the Calla Lily make meaningful keepsakes that can mark the start of a new chapter or celebrate decades of love. For something extra personal, you could choose each spouse’s birth flower — a beautiful and symbolic way to represent your bond.

If you're a little quirky like us, you might also love the charming characters in our Nature’s Gnomes^™ garden gnome collection — a fun and whimsical twist that still carries heartfelt meaning.

Or, if your heart’s leading the way (literally), consider a simple yet bold design like the "I Love You" Red Heart ornament — a perfect choice for a truly meaningful 20th anniversary present.

Here’s to 20 More (and Then Some)

No matter how you celebrate, we believe every love story deserves something as unique and enduring as the people in it.

Here’s to love, laughter, and the occasional singing bird in the wall. ;)