When Johnnie and I got married, we asked for no gifts. Our family and friends kindly ignored us—because love languages are stubborn like that—and gifted experiences we’ll never forget.
One of our favorites came from Johnnie’s brother Christopher and his wife Sally Jane: an Airbnb gift card. For our first anniversary, in October of 2023, we cashed it in for a two-night getaway to Uwharrie, a spot Johnnie often visits with his Jeep/off-roading buddies but where I’d never been.
Why Troy, NC?
Uwharrie isn’t exactly brimming with five-star resorts. And while Johnnie’s usual Jeep crew happily crashes on 20-year-old mattresses, he knew “we’d” (read: me) need something a touch nicer. We found a charming farmhouse on Airbnb—just the right level of “country cozy” for the trip.
The house manual set the tone immediately:
“The neighbor dogs might come greet you from next door. They’re very sweet so don’t be startled. The black one is named Blue and the brown one is Betty…”
That sealed the deal.
Our Uwharrie Highlights
Chiquita time. Because no read trip is complete without our favorite travel buddy. This is also one of the many reasons our vacation rental properties will always be pet friendly!
NC Zoo day-date. Better than we remembered from our school trips—don’t miss the elephants.
Downtown Asheboro wanderings. Shopping, local bites, and small-town charm.
Neighborhood country bar. Walkable from the farmhouse, complete with a resident bar dog.
Fancy dinner in. We uncorked a bottle of Krug—another wedding gift, this one from Garrett and Shannon Miller—and cooked a meal worthy of the occasion. (Thanks, y’all!)
A Quick Escape, Big Memories
Two nights, just an hour from home, and somehow it felt like a world away from Raleigh responsibilities.
To Christopher and Sally Jane: thank you for gifting us the nudge to explore Uwharrie together. And to everyone who “ignored” our no-gifts request—we get it now. Sometimes the best gifts really are the memories we wouldn’t have made otherwise.
