Staying at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL was particularly special for Ann and her husband, Nolan. This is where their life together began. After seven years, two children, a deployment to Iraq and a cancer diagnosis, the devoted couple returned to the same hotel that they spent a night honeymooning right after their wedding. Even better, this time they had their two sons, Malachi and Noah, with them to enjoy the experience as a family.
A few years ago, at 25 years old, Ann and Nolan’s lives were turned upside when she was diagnosed with High Grade Spindle Cell Sarcoma. At the time of her diagnosis, Ann was pregnant with her second son, Noah, and made the selfless decision to postpone treatment until after he was born. After delivering a healthy baby boy, Ann immediately started treatment and has been battling ever since.
The loving young mom deserved the adventure of a lifetime, and for her, that meant quality time with her husband and sons. So, on a beautiful Friday afternoon in October, the family checked back into their honeymoon hotel and was greeted in the room with a beautiful flower arrangement, scrumptious chocolates and pool toys, which put huge smiles on the boy’s faces. The rest of the night was filled with swimming, dinner and lots of laughter.
On Saturday, it was Ann’s turn to be pampered. The first stop of the day was to Wickets boutique in Sawgrass Village for a shopping spree, where the storeowner personally assisted Ann in choosing the perfect outfit for later that day. After selecting a beautiful maxi dress, Ann went to the Sawgrass Spa for a relaxing massage and lunch. One of the most important aspects of the weekend for Ann was to take professional photos of the whole family together since they had never had that opportunity. After the spa, she met all of her boys and the photographer for a family photo shoot on the beach.
“Staying at the Sawgrass Marriott brought back precious memories for my husband and I, but this time we were able to make memories as a family, ones that I will cherish forever!”
Ann’s mother took the boys home after the photo shoot so Ann and Nolan could have a romantic evening to themselves. The loving couple enjoyed a decadent dinner and dessert at Ruth Chris Steak House and then retreated to their honeymoon hotel to end the evening back where it all began.
A sincere thank you to Kuhn Flowers for donating the flower arrangement, Peterbrooke chocolates for donating the chocolates, Wickets boutique in Sawgrass Village for donating the shopping spree, Photographer Craig Monroe for donating the family photo shoot, Ruth’s Chris Steak House for donating a gift card used for dinner and desert and the Sawgrass Marriot Hotel and Spa for providing 2 nights, the massage and lunch at the spa and a dining credit for the family to enjoy.
