Tales from a Beach Bum
The sun trying so hard to peek out and say hello during our stay at the Hilton, Sandestin FL
My family & I hadn’t been on a proper vacation together in YEARS. Three years to be exact. I was so excited to finally break our dry spell last week. But as I walked around our resort in a bikini, my thighs high-fiving with each completed step made by my tired feet, and being called “ma’am” by 23 year olds, I’ve realized how much life I’ve lost over the past 3 years. How much life my family has lost.
I love being at the beach more than Joe Biden likes sniffing hair- AHAHAHAHAHA! That’s not possible. But I’m sure it’s close. The sounds of the waves, the smell of the saltwater air, the carefree feeling of being without the responsibility of work or home obligations… there are so many reasons why I love being at the beach. And we had a lot of memories and relaxation to make up for.
So this was a “balls-to-the-wall” week for us. Kids want fruity drinks by the pool? Sure! The hubs & I get that extra shot of rum in our drinks? Sure! I put all my missed experiences, beach trip memories, & tropical sunshine in the basket of THIS week. All of it. I just shoved it in.
In my mind it was going to be perfect, just like it’d always been. Sun, sand, delicious food. But I learned something this week. Yes, “I”, a 41-year-old “ma’am”. Apparently an old dog can still learn new tricks! {Look out, y’all. Momma’s gotta stretch so I can show you what I’ve learned.}
Despite my best efforts to mentally will it so, it rained on us almost the whole trip. When the sky wasn’t crying on us like my college friend when her boyfriend broke up with her at a John Mayer concert, it was so cloudy that it may as well have been midnight in the afternoon. We wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference.
My instinct was to be disappointed. My instinct was to consider this trip a failure. But that’s not at all what this trip was. This trip was wonderful. Despite the weather, we still set up on the beach every day. Despite the seaweed, we still played in the water. And had fun throwing it at each other when we found the green, stringy treasure left behind in our bathing suits.
We walked on the beach, we spent time together, we ate delicious food. Except the last meal there. We had ONE horrible food experience. Bad service, mediocre food, & a $155 bill. But no one got food poisoning so #silverliningyall!
And to make it all worth the bad food experience, my hubs hunted down a hunch with the hotel food service team & surprised us with a tray of M&Ms, chocolate covered pretzels, nuts, fruit, assorted cheeses & crackers. And a bottle of wine for the two of us. It wasn’t on the menu but he made it happen.
I’m sad it’s over. Rain and all. But I’m so excited for the next trip. Life is memories. Good memories, exciting memories, fun memories, & the not so great memories that make for amazing stories.
The obligatory family picture in Miramar Beach, FL outside our favorite restaurant, Pompano Joe’s
