When Crazy Meets Exhaustion

My attempt at adult conversation.

The River Lodge is for Lovers.

By 37 Comments

Before we had kids, Zach and I would steal away for a long weekend every year to celebrate the biggest joke of a holiday: Valentine’s Day. It wasn’t that we particularly cared to encourage this Hallmark scam or that we were fond of paying twice the price for…everything. It was just that, in the middle of February, we were ready to get away from it all. The holidays a distant memory, summer so far away, it just seemed like a fantastic excuse to get the hell outta dodge. Or Pittsburgh, as it were.

We traveled almost two hours north to a quaint little cabin tucked away in a winter wonderland. On more than one occasion, our car lost traction and we contemplated the hurdles that would arise if we were to spend our Valentine’s Day at the bottom of the river that ran parallel to the only road that led to The River Lodge.

Oh-la-la. Danger is sexy.

Happy to be anywhere but work, we enjoyed some drinks, some vacation lovin’, and so much food that although years away from starting our family, I resembled a woman entering her second trimester. There was no cell phone service, no Internet access, just nature and my man. The expansive windows in the library gave way to a sight I had come to look forward to and love: wild deer eating the restaurant’s scraps a mere 10 feet from us. I sat and watched those beautiful creatures for hours, in between reading and having my ass handed to me in Chess or Scrabble. The entire weekend was just so chill and wonderful and relaxing.

Once we had our son, our visits to The River Lodge were limited, and once we had our daughter, out of the question. The River Lodge was expensive and indulgent and completely unnecessary. Yet so, so good.

This year, I am proposing we recreate our Valentine’s Lodge here at home. We have deer…when hunters aren’t killing them. I’m sure we can cook up a feast…that our kids won’t eat. We can once again treat ourselves to smooth wines and titillating adult time…

Oh, forget it. Who am I kidding? At 7-months pregnant with a baby who is tap dancing on my bladder, there will be neither libation nor lovemaking and, you know what? I’m okay with that.

Just give me chocolate.

Preferably from See’s Candies. Listen, I’ve had chocolate in my life longer than I’ve had my husband, children, and most friends. I know chocolate. And it is without reservation that I say See’s Candies is the best. Between the options to create my own custom box of deliciousness and the so-crazy-they-work combos (read: the Scotchmallow, See’s caramel with a layer of See’s honey marshmallow enrobed in rich dark chocolate) my cravings are sufficiently sated. Dare I say better than sex chocolate? Okay, I won’t go that far, mostly because my husband reads this, but if you’ve never tried something from See’s Candies, today is the day I blow your mind.

You don’t have to get chocolate because See’s has toffee, lollipops, and other candies, but why would you waste your time on anything but the milk or dark goodness that is their infamous chocolate? Sorry. I didn’t mean to judge. You get whatever your little heart desires, and let See’s foot the bill.

Sees

Just enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a $25 gift card and then get your shop on at a local See’s or check out See’s Candies online and have your order shipped right to ya. I know I’m not a fan, but you do realize Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, yes? (You’re welcome for the reminder, husband). The giveaway ends next Friday at midnight and the winner will be announced on my Facebook page and contacted by email shortly thereafter, so if we’re not already pals on Facebook, what are you waiting for?!
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*This is a sponsored post, which means I was compensated to write it. But I think you know me well enough that I would never compromise anything as serious as my love of chocolate for any kind of pay-off. The opinions, the story, and the writing are all my own.*

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Comments

  5. vernette says

    LMAO. Stephanie…I stayed home from work today because I’m suffering the effect of a wicked chocolate hangover and you post this…smh and you used the magic words too: Dark Chocolate. Now I have to try these See’s Candies. Thanks eh!

    Reply

    • Stephanie Jankowski says

      So many people have told me they came across See’s while they were traveling. I wonder if See’s is synonymous with vacationing? That could be an advertising angle. I should contact them and have them pay me in caramel for thinking of that…

      Reply

    • Stephanie Jankowski says

      YES! It’s like every night after dinner, the meal isn’t complete until I pop at least a Hershey’s Kiss. Are we what the professionals call “addicted?” Meh. It’s so good I don’t care.

      Reply

  13. allison says

    My friends and I all established together years ago that Feb is the worst month of the year..so I understand why you woulpld want to escape! Fun giveaway!

    Reply

  16. Pamela says

    I’ve never had See’s. Looked up their website and was so happy to see that all of their products are Gluten Free! Maybe I’ll win and can try some of this goodness you speak of!

    Reply

  18. Jenn Rian says

    Oh, I agree. Chocolate is simply the best thing in life ever. And I’m a giant idiot, because I missed the giveaway 🙁 I’ve opened up this post approximately 15 times in the last week and then something dinged or booped and I ran off chasing a virtual squirrel. Missing out on chocolate just might be the rude awakening that I needed to get my act together.

    Reply

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