Back when we had just one child and another on the way, we started a new tradition. We began taking a beach trip with just us and our kid(s). On a whim we chose the Labor Day weekend and the days surrounding it, and we have loved it ever since.
Every other trip or holiday during the year is largely spent with family, which we always enjoy, but we wanted to create a special time with our kids and just Tom and me.
We’ve always looked forward to this trip to close out the summer. Last year and this year with T now being in school, it’s gotten trickier to pull off. I’m sure it will be more so as they get older and there’s more school work and it won’t be as easy to miss a few days of school. There may come a time when we choose to do something other than the beach at a different time of year, but we’re not ready to give this trip up just yet.
We were ready for a break and to take a pause with the kids. August had been filled up more than usual: T had started school and all the adjustments that come with that, Tom had a long weekend away for a seminar, we had birthday parties here and there, and we had my parents stay a few nights while they were in town helping my brother and sister-in-law move out of their house. August felt like a disjointed month, and it was nice to end it taking a break together.
One thing we did differently this year was break up the drive. We know many people with little kids that say doing this is the way to go. We’ve contemplated it in the past but this time decided to try it. And sure enough it was SO much better. Our kids had never stayed in a hotel before. I’m not certain if they were more excited about this prospect or the beach. Of course, in the end the beach won!
The one hiccup we had was as we were pulling off at the exit to the hotel and trying to find a place for dinner, JL’s motion sickness got the best of him. Luckily, we’ve become more prepared. I had a change of clothes for him and towels and wipes within arm’s reach. Later, I texted my mom to let her know we’d made it to the hotel. She asked about how JL made it and when I told her what happened, she replied that reminds her so much of me when I was little. Bless them! I wholeheartedly believe that becoming a parent makes you have a deeper appreciation for your own parents.
By lunch the next day we had arrived at our final destination. That afternoon rain threatened on and off. This actually worked out and gave us time to unpack, get settled, and put JL down for a nap. After dinner that evening we took a stroll on the beach, and it was beautiful. We even caught a rainbow as we were stepping down the boardwalk.
For the next few days we slept in, took our time fixing breakfast and getting ready for some time on the beach. Just days before we drove down, Hurricane Harvey had made its way through the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and hit Texas. We weren’t sure how clear and calm the waters would be along the panhandle because of this, but after the first day of some rough currents and overcast skies, the weather was beautiful.
Saturday was the first full day of college football games; so, naturally, that night we picked a spot to watch the Ole Miss game. It just so happened some of our close friends were in town the same time we were. We met up with them that night for dinner and to let the kids play.
It’s hard to put into words how special this trip is for us. We can’t pause the time we have with these boys. But we can be intentional about the gift of time we’ve been given with them. We play and love and listen and enjoy every second of being able to take a pause from the busyness of school and work and daily tasks and are so grateful for it.
Right now their favorite thing to do is look for crabs at night on the beach. The last night we were there we walked and walked and enjoyed a beautiful sunset and the moon coming out and reflecting on the water. While there weren’t many crabs out that night, they still had a great time. JL enjoyed picking up fists full of sand and throwing it back down emphatically.
The next day we packed up early for the drive home. And that drive is what it is: a LONG drive home, and it feels like we’ll never get home. But thankfully we have some special memories to make up for it.
