Family Beach Week

Just back from family beach week. A real experience of summer: sunny skies, nice breeze, fireworks, swimming...

All of us are in different parts of the world now, exploring and building new experiences, careers, identities, and relationships. It is something special to still have this time together most every summer. A time for extended family - cousins, aunts, uncles, second cousins, significant ones, etc. - to catch up on life and enjoy a little break together. 

Fun to think back to the early family beach gatherings, when we were sandy toddlers and naps were spent on the beach. Not much has changed.

Boat n' Bullet

Our gathering began with a close family friend presenting my cousin and her fiancé with an early wedding present, a model he'd made of Mary Taylor, a New York Pilot boat from 1850. He'd made the family two boats over the years, but this was Mary and Noel's own to take into their marriage.

Evening and dinner was arranged for our family patriarch to offer a special toast, and it finally culminated in the event, marked by humor, love, support, and blessings for Mary and Noel's future together. 

Ultimately the kind of evening that makes you grateful for tradition, family gathering, and a long dinner table.

What's up with the bullet, you may ask? I'll let you imagine.