Around this time last winter, State College residents David and Kathy Nelson were anticipating the arrival of their 10th wedding anniversary in June. The couple wanted to make the event a special occasion, but the decision of what to do or where to go was rather difficult.

Then, in the spring, the Nelsons decided not to exchange the traditional aluminum presents as precious momentos. Instead, the couple made plans to travel overseas in 1994. Their destination: Lillehammer, Norway.

Last week, the Nelsons celebrated that 10th wedding anniversary amid the pageantry of the 17th Winter Olympic Games.

"We didn't know where to go," Kathy Nelson said. "David's father arranged the Lillehammer idea. This was a chance in a lifetime, so there was no other choice for us."

Richard Nelson, David's father and a biomechanics professor at Penn State, went to Lillehammer to conduct scientific research at the various skiing venues for the International Olympic Committee Medical Commission.

"It was special to have them there," Richard said. "They both like sports a lot. For them to be caught in the Olympic spirit, I'm sure they won't forget that for a long time."

Kathy said she will remember most the quaint little Norwegian town of Lillehammer. Although the Nelsons missed the opening ceremonies, the couple was quickly introduced to the Scandanavian culture upon their arrival.

"You don't get the feeling of being there when you watch it on CBS," Kathy said. "It was fun to experience what the Norwegians go through on a daily basis. They really bend over backwards to please you -- the people were wonderful."

Even the weather was wonderful. Well, it wasn't 90 degrees and balmy outside, but that didn't bother David Nelson, a 1987 Penn State graduate.

"It was extremely cold," he said. "I was surprised to learn that it's not always snowy in Lillehammer. Someone said this season is the most snow they've had in 50 years, while another person said it was the most snow in five years. I'm not sure who was right."

The occasion was right for the Nelsons -- spending time together at the Winter Games and supporting the U.S. athletes in competition. The Nelsons beamed with pride whenever the two heard the national anthem.

"Anytime you would hear the anthem, you'd sing the words louder and louder," Kathy said. "You can't imagine the meaning when it's heard in another country. It's special when that flag goes up."

At these Winter Games, the American flag was raised in the air a number of times. The Nelsons witnessed downhill skier Tommy Moe and speedskater Bonnie Blair capture gold in Lillehammer as the Norwegians waved their flags and cheered emphatically.

"The Norwegians really impressed me," David said. "Whenever the Americans won a medal, they would cheer. Then, the Norwegians would congratulate us like we had something to do with it."

Although the Nelsons didn't have a direct effect on Blair winning another medal, the couple was able to celebrate the skater's triumph. The Nelsons partied with the "Blair bunch" at a bar in Lillehammer after she competed. The evening was just one of many memorable moments in Lillehammer.

Both David and Kathy would like to get caught up in the aura surrounding the Winter Olympics again some time in the future.

"You really can't appreciate it without being there," Kathy said. "I'd love to go to more of them. But every four years, we can't deplete all our sources."