road trip!

When we got married a little more than 10 months ago, Ben & I decided we would delay our honeymoon in order to save some money and really figure out where we wanted to go. September is not the ideal time for going anywhere with a beach due to hurricanes, and we knew we wanted the beach. So, we waited until the end of June and decided to go to Myrtle Beach, SC. I'd been numerous times as a child but Ben had never gone there before and we thought would be a great combination of relaxation and having something to do.

We stopped to visit some family in Pennsylvania on our way down. It wasn't exactly on the way so to speak, but any chance to be near those beautiful farms and the fresh air that I get, I take.

After a couple restful nights with family, our drive began again. This drive was much longer, but it landed us happily on the beach at the end of the day. We stayed at this great resort with many different hotels on it. We loved it. We spent our days at the beach or the pool, followed by dinner and mini golf and a return trip to the beach. It was so hot that our return trips at night were definitely the most enjoyable because we got some relief from the very high temperatures combined with humidity.

We really loved our vacation, and even planned another while we were there (not to Myrtle, but where we want to go next). We got to spend so much time together without distractions, and I know we need to make more of those moments here at home. It can be so hard sometimes in the busyness of life to just sit and enjoy each others company and talk, but it's so important! We made goals together, plans, talked about what was next, and just had so much fun. I made a lot of other goals while we were away, too and I'll share those tomorrow.

For rest and no distractions.

i blame the heat.

I haven't been so good at keeping up with this blog as I originally intended to. I even have a list of different types of blog posts that I would like to write. I want to take this seriously, but I keep avoiding it.

My first excuse was that I did not feel like loading vacation pictures onto a web album so that I could add them to a post (after I figured out how to). Then I was too hot to sit down and actually write anything because our apartment is almost always over 80 degrees except at night when I want to spend time with my husband.

No more excuses! Tomorrow I'm going to upload some pictures and write about our vacation. Vacations are always more than just a trip away for me. I always end up thinking about who I am, where I'm going, and who I want to be. Maybe it's the calming ocean waves or the long drives, or perhaps I'm just overly thoughtful. Whatever it is, I love vacations and I love coming home with resolutions about starting fresh.

***

July 4th does not have pictures but it was a wonderful day spent in the heat of Boston, surrounded by friends and spent on quiet (however quiet Boston can be with millions of people around) walks with my husband. Watching the fireworks right on the banks of the Charles River always takes me breath away. They are so big, so bright, and so close. I love July 4th for its celebrations of country, camaraderie, and of course cookouts with friends.

Vacation discussion coming soon. I hope to have other regular sorts of posts that I will update about next time.

For friends near or far.

back again.

My husband and I took a week long trip to the beach, and while I thought of many blog posts while we were away I intentionally did not post a single one, or even write anything down.

I will be back this week with thoughts about our trip, as well as other posts about what's in store.

Happy 4th.

Showered.

This weekend we showered my best friend with love, laughter and gifts in celebration of her upcoming wedding. I feel so honored to not only have the privilege of standing up with her on her wedding day, but to have celebrated with her as she received so much kindness and was radiating with the bride-to-be glow.

I wish I had pictures to show her happiness and the happiness of all the wonderful women who were there. It was truly a beautiful day. I do not want to neglect to record these moments, pictures or no pictures.

Life is too precious to forget to cherish, pictures or not. Friends are too precious to neglect to thank them for their gift of their presence, love and support in our lives. If this blog is nothing else, I hope it is simply a demonstration of the joys of life.

For my best friend, who for over 15 years has walked through life with me and allowed me to walk with her. 


My husband did something so great this weekend. It is his story to tell, but I will just say I was so proud of him. I got teary as I watched him in that lake, doing something he has waited many years to do. As he dunked under the water I felt immense pride that I was there and I was lucky enough to be his wife. I honestly wanted to walk around saying "Do you see that young man? That happy, brave, thoughtful and kind man? I'm his wife. Isn't he awesome?"

Happy Monday.