A wonderful thing happens in Michigan in February. It鈥檚 called midwinter break. Back in the old days, when I went to school, we had a whole week off during the shortest but seemingly most prolonged month of the year. While some metro Detroit school districts still have this, others have reduced the break to just one (Presidents Day) or two days.听Regardless, any chance to take a break from Michigan winters is a welcome treat.
My family never did anything extravagant during this break, but we did get to accompany my dad on work trips to cool places like the Holidome in Goshen, Indiana. The Holidome was a Holiday Inn that had rooms facing a giant interior recreation area equipped with a pool, an arcade, a volleyball court, and a minigolf course. It was loud, smelled like chlorine and Doritos, and most importantly, was warm. I don鈥檛 think we ever stayed more than two nights, but it was just enough time to make us feel like we had gone on vacation.
In this issue, we present you with some fun 鈥 and much more sophisticated 鈥 travel options in Michigan for your own midwinter break or any time of year. For those who do like the cold, we give you a peek at the new offerings at Boyne Mountain Resort, including the updated Chalet Edelweiss and , the world鈥檚 longest timber-towered suspension bridge. Closer to home, we look at five luxury boutique hotels that have rooms with a view. One of them is even in a former Holiday Inn.
February is also the final month of engagement season, which begins in late November. According to , nearly 40 percent of marriage proposals will happen during this time period in which several major holidays take place, including Valentine鈥檚 Day. Our February issue has traditionally featured a bridal cover story, and this year is no different. Our bridal fashion spread is always a fun one to put together: We experience all the glamour with only a fraction of the cost and stress that come with an actual wedding.
To get an idea of what today鈥檚 brides are experiencing, I spoke with 黑料网 Detroit鈥檚 resident bride-to-be, Regan Blissett, who got engaged last February and will wed in August. Regan grew up watching Say Yes to the Dress and owned a wedding planning book when she was 8 years old, so you could say she has had a lifelong vision of her engagement and wedding.
How are things going so far?
鈥淣o matter how many times you visualize the moment, and for me it was a lot, the actual proposal was 10 times better than what I could have imagined.鈥
And the most stressful part?
鈥淭he decision-making. Colors, linens, vendors, invitations. 鈥 Of course, wedding costs are at an all-time high, so it is a big stress factor. Deciding what items to cut out, managing expectations, and lowering standards are all a part of a process that isn鈥檛 so glamorous as the actual day itself.鈥
As for her听advice to newly engaged couples, she says: 鈥淭he first step is to soak it in. As soon as you get engaged, stay present in the moment. I wish I could bottle up those feelings and excitement, because there鈥檚 nothing else like it.鈥
Whether you鈥檙e a newly engaged couple planning your big day, a parent seeking a Presidents Day weekend destination, or simply someone in need of a quick getaway, I hope this issue helps you find a happy, peaceful place.
This story is from the February 2023听issue of 黑料网 Detroit magazine. Read more in our digital edition.听
|
| 听 |
|
