Last summer

Last July, I was given the opportunity to introduce my girls to the ocean.  And, I do mean introduce them.  I've always wanted to take them to the beach, but finances have always made that impossible.  I wanted to show them the ocean while they were still young though, so they could really appreciate it in the way that only young eyes can.  So, when I found out that my uncle has a beach house in North Carolina, I swallowed my pride and asked if we could visit.  Right away, he said "Of course!"  Smiles!

So, on a Wednesday morning, I packed up my three girls and drove them all the way to Southern Shores, NC.  We arrived Thursday evening, and the stories of that LONG ride are for another (less happy) day.  Since it was so late, we couldn't actually head to the beach until the morning - but we could smell and hear it.  The house is only a three minute walk, so we headed out early Saturday morning. 

This is the first time my daughters' toes touched the Atlantic Ocean.

It was magical.  They were so impressed, although also quite a bit nervous.  We spent every morning for more than a week playing in the sand, searching for sea shells, and splashing in the waves.  These three girls were in heaven.  They even got along the entire time we were on the sand.  This is a major accomplishment!

 They held hands.  They helped each other up when the waves knocked them over.  They found shells in each other's favorite colors.  Something about the ocean washed away the drama, and I've never been happier.
Neither had they.

I can't say that time was the most relaxing for me.  I was constantly on alert for someone being swept away, or bitten by one of the hundreds of crabs we were sharing the beach with, or some random stranger walking too close to my girls.  (It's very stressful taking three kids to the beach when you only have two hands.)  I had several of those "Which one would you have to let go of if they all get pulled out in a riptide?" moments.  I'll keep the answer to myself, but it's probably fair to say that none of us would've returned.

But, every evening, we took a long walk on the deserted beach.  And, that was my favorite time.  It was the most peace I've felt in my entire life.

I found out yesterday, that we will be heading back to "our" beach house this summer.  I cannot wait.  It won't be long before these girls won't want to do anything with me.  They'll want to be with their friends or *gasp* boys, instead of their boring old mama.  But I have them all to myself again this summer.  And I can think of no other place I'd rather be than on a towel on the quiet beach in North Carolina with the three most amazing people in the world.