We took our first beach trip as a family a few weeks ago and it was nothing short of magical! I grew up vacationing on the white sandy beaches in the panhandle of Florida, so naturally I insisted that Everly's first introduction to the beach should happen there. Now I know what some people are probably thinking, "Geez, Jenn, you live in Southern California and you have a beach that is literally 15 minutes from your house." True, but the beaches in SoCal do not hold a candle to the beaches in Gulf Shores, Destin, and Panama City. The beaches on the panhandle have soft, white, powdery sand. The water in the ocean is crystal clear and WARM! The condos sit right on the beach so you can walk out of your front door and be on the beach in seconds. Everything about the beach experience there is glorious and I cannot think of a better way to spend 7 days (other than traveling to other countries outside of the U.S., but that will have to wait a few more years)!
The first few moments on the beach almost crushed my soul because Everly's first reaction to this new experience was not so positive. She was freaked out by the ocean, the sand, the heat, the sunscreen, and all of the people. I thought, oh hell, what are we going to do for the next 7 days? Staying in the condo was definitely not an option because that place was a death trap with all of the tile floors, glass objects, and sharp corners. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful space for adults, but was an accident waiting to happen for little people who are just learning to pull up and stand.
Luckily, it didn't take her long to warm up to this new environment. Within a half hour she was mesmerized by the waves crashing in the ocean, the gritty texture of the wet sand, and the powder-like softness of the dry sand. The best part of the entire trip was experiencing everything through her eyes. The first afternoon at the beach I sat on the sand where the water was washing up on the shore with Everly sprawled out across my lap on her stomach rubbing the sand between her fingers and watching the waves wash ashore. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she dug in the sand, rubbed it between her fingers, and then looked up at me with pure joy and excitement on her face as she processed this new discovery.
Other firsts on this trip for Miss Everly included eating a french fry (thanks Aunt Shay), an airbrushed t-shirt (one of my favorite souvenirs growing up), drinking water out of a straw, and riding in a car without Mommy or Daddy (this was a big one!). My precious cousin, Claire, and her darling fiance, Dakota (they got engaged while we were at the beach...congrats, you two!!!), went to the beach with us and gave Danny and I some much needed adult time while we were there. Claire and Everly have had a special bond since she was born so I was beyond excited that she could be a part of this trip. Claire and her sister Katelyn are like the little sisters I never had. Katelyn was born when I was 14 and Claire was born when I was 17. They were a huge part of my life when I was a teenager and in college and as we have gotten older our relationship has only grown deeper and stronger. It is really cool to watch Claire interact and bond with Everly in much the same way I did with her and her sister when they were babies. AND...to make this part of the story even sweeter, Katelyn is expecting a baby boy in early October, so now Everly will have a cousin to grow up with and get into all kinds of shenanigans in the coming years. I definitely see many more beach trips with Claire, Katelyn, and their families in our future!
Some of our closest friends were also able to make this first beach trip with us and this made the whole experience that much sweeter! After this trip I have determined that going to the beach with friends and family is going to be a yearly event for us. The ocean is my elixir! Sitting under an umbrella, surrounded by the people who mean the world to me, with a cold drink in my hand, feeling the sand between my toes, and watching the waves roll in is the best therapy that money can buy. Cheers, Destin! It's been real. We will see you next year...same time...same place. :)
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