Nine years ago, the hubby’s family (then boyfriend) organized a beach vacation the Outer Banks, NC. I had traveled to the beach twice before, once to Florida and once to Galveston. Even with this limited experience I knew I loved the beach. Something about the blue sky, waves and sand resonated deep in my land locked central Texas heart. That trip affirmed all of my beach bum aspirations so deeply that we have been back every single year. Sometimes we go with some of the same family members, sometimes we go with friends and we now bring along three kids and their assorted gear. But we always go. This year we used the upcoming trip as a relaxing benchmark. “Three feet of snow, at least we’ll have OBX!” Crazy people at work, think of the beach!” Rejections and almost but not quite there illustration snarls, think of the relaxing waves” Grumpy kids, it will be awesome at the beach!” No power for three days in August, think of the ocean breeze!”

So, we packed our kids, clothes and gear and food, coordinated our departure with family and off we went.

There were screaming fits in the car, four days with no air-conditioning and a round of the stomach flu that we are still battling. There were nights with no sleep and vomit covered parents. There was a baby who hated the water, ate seashells and sand and discovered he really hated showers.

There was also a cool ocean breeze, a dip in the calmest Atlantic I have ever seen, three falling stars and the most beautiful starry night. We discovered our daughter is a mermaid who was either at the beach, the pool or playing with her cousin. There were exploring babies with huge grins, cuddles and crying fits that forced me outside on a beautiful clear night.

It was wonderful. We’re already planning next year.