Down by the Bay

Every summer at the end of July, my family took a trip to the seaside. Through my childhood, those trips gave me life. I looked forward to it all year and there was so much magic in it all. My heart still explodes with joy to think about it. The sand, the ocean, the boardwalk, the games, the rides, the food, the family, the memories–I adored every moment.

One of the highlights of our annual trip was a ride from the sea over to the bay for a morning of crabbing on the pier. These past few years have been broken and jumbled for us, so much that there hasn’t been much consistency or tradition, but we are slowly finding our stride. This year I finally took my babies “down the shore” for a few magical days in July.

We made so many new, beautiful memories for ourselves–jumping in the waves, digging in the sand, and one gorgeous morning spent with my father and his extended family out on the crabbing pier down by the bay. These photographs were from that special morning which I will cherish for always. It is the prayer of my heart that my babies will store these special memories somewhere deep inside and cherish them the way that I have always cherished my own memories of this magical place.

We’re nearing the end of August here now. The days are slowly getting shorter, the song of the crickets is getting louder, and there is the slightest autumn chill on the air. In a couple of weeks Roman will be starting first grade and I don’t quite have the words to say what that thought does to my mama heart. But we go on, don’t we? I cherish these sweet moments so dearly as they pass. I hope that you are well, sweet friends, and I hope that you are loved. xo