16 Comments
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Helen M. Thomson's avatar

Happy 25th Anniversary! What a sweet place to celebrate.

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Carolee Gregg's avatar

Happy 25!

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Anne Witt's avatar

Congratulations to you and Shelley on 25 years of wedded bliss. Glad you both are celebrating in style. Thank you for including your loyal followers in your journeys.

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Jacqueline K Clemens's avatar

Congratulations! An excellent choice for your celebration. We have enjoyed the Empress version of the Gold experience. Truly no need to go further, but when you do all the best is at your doorstep. If not, then from one of the handy buses that line up there. Sounds like you had a glorious time. Proximity to BC travel by float plane and water are supreme perks to our move north to Puget Sound.

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Cathy Edson's avatar

Happy Anniversary. I remembered to not put an exclamation mark😀 Such a special place to celebrate. Thank you for such a descriptive story. I felt like I was there.

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Laurie Schmidt's avatar

Blessings! A milestone indeed.

The Empress is a grand lady, we see her often as we are only 90 min away

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John Crowe's avatar

What an affair. Happy Anniversary. Like you, we have many happy memories of The Empress, Butchart Gardens, and the many delights of Victoria. We were once stranded there for several days when the ferry pilots went on a sudden strike-- no warning, just "sorry" when we showed up at the ferry terminal at Nanaimo. It was annoying at first, but then we were happy for the stranding and wished for a few more days of strike when it was over.

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Jacqueline Hall's avatar

Bob and Shelley, Congratulations on your twenty-five years of marital bliss. I am sure you have experienced the ups and downs of all married couples and your commitment to each other is something special to be celebrated in grand fashion. The Empress Hotel would be my choice too. I visited the Empress last summer at night and it is truly magnificent. May you make many more happy memories in the years to come.

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Phil Coleman's avatar

Bob: We're not "high rollers" like you and Shelley. We couldn't afford to stay in the Empress but I robbed two convenience stores before going to Victoria and we had "High Tea." Unforgettable experience. For a couple of hours you feel what it's like to be Royalty.

You really captured the essence of Victoria, we've been to all those places and all are magical. What a great place to celebrate your 25th. I thought you'd last--maybe a year--but I underestimated Shelley's tolerance and forgiveness.

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Jan Bazinet's avatar

It's one of my favorite places, too. Happy anniversary, Bob and Shelley!

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Andre Hamel's avatar

I’m glad the you enjoyed a great 25th Anniversary in my native country. The Empress shares a lot with Quebec’s Chateau Frontenac that was also built by the CPR in 1893.

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Darlene & Craig Hunter's avatar

Happy 25th Anniversary Bob & Shelley! What a beautiful place to celebrate your Silver Anniversary and each other! Best Wishes Always.

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Diane Steele's avatar

Such an EPIC post, Bob! A very happy 25th to you both. What a LOVELY place, one we'll add to our "List Of Places To Go". You'll have to start planning for your 50th now, a milestone my darling husband and I reached 2 years ago.

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Bill Weisgerber's avatar

What a way to celebrate…Bravo.

Happy Anniversey, and congratulations.

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Drew Lancaster's avatar

Many Happy, happy returns Bob and Shelly! Whatta' romantic fellow!

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Mary & Ro Davis's avatar

Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs Dunning! Love this post!

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