The week before last was a whirlwind of long work hours, packing lists, & exhaustion.

oh, & wine.  LOTS OF WINE.  I needed vacation in the worst way possible & while it crossed my mind to set up guest posts or write ahead, I was more focused on making sure that I packed beach towels & Harrison’s stuffed monkey.  We pulled over the sound bridge on Saturday afternoon & I felt myself exhale as I tucked my phone into my pocket & pointed out the ocean to the boy in the backseat.  We quickly threw on our suits & headed to the sand while waiting for the rest of my family to arrive.

The toddler woke with the sun every morning & we quietly snuck out for a walk to search for shells & quiet moments with our family of three.  He giggled as Nate hoisted him over broad shoulders & I gave way to a game of chase.  I took in a deep breath, commenting that on a normal day, we’d be facing the rat race.  This slower pace of life was welcomed.

On the tiny island of North Carolina, we put down planners & live without watches.  I prefer to spend every afternoon with a book under the canopy or diving through waves.  I intended to write during naps, but found myself curled up with an iced coffee & a blanket rather than a laptop.

Harrison, of course, tackled the beach with his typical fearless smile.  He begged to be taken into the water & when his daddy & uncle swam too far, he stood at the edge of the water & cried.  My boy is ready to be a teenager already.

& since I’ve stopped sobbing over my lack of Britney Spears abs or trying to develop melanoma, my beach vacation has become exponentially more relaxing.  I slather 30+ SPF all over, slip into a one-piece, & settle into a chair with a book.  My goal is not to brown – my goal is to slip away from the every day & allow myself to really breathe.

(I never really breathe when I’m away from the ocean.  Do you have a place that helps you breathe?)