Finding Refuge

Lucky circumstances brought my aunt and uncle to Florida last week from Niagara Falls, Canada. They had long ago planned a winter getaway to a resort near Fort Lauderdale, so once Kevin and I moved down here we figured out that it would only be an hour drive for us to see each other. Aunt Sandy was my mom's sister and she has been married to Uncle Dave for over 40 years, so they both were very close to her and had lots of stories about the three of them. They ordered in pizza at the resort and we sat around, along with their travel buddies Barb and Dave, and caught up on all the family. My cousin Johnny finished med school and is now a practicing chiropractor. He's been married three years and just bought a house. My cousin Nikki is due with her first baby—a boy!—next month. I grew up not only the youngest in my family, but the youngest of the cousins, and Nikki and Johnny introduced me to the Counting Crows, my first cheese fries, and summer days at the lake. Sometimes I really wish my family all lived close together, it's hard to stay in touch and support people from such long distances. Unfortunately, we had so much to talk about we forgot to take a picture! I'm so bummed. I found an old one of her the last time she visited my mom.

My mom with her sister Sandy

Friday night filled me with a sense of nostalgia for family memories, which was still fresh in my mind as we continued our weekend wedding planning adventures. We found a venue called the House of Refuge Museum on Hutchinson Island that has a stunning 360-degree view of the water. The best part is that it has a lot more character and history than a modern resort or hotel. Built in 1876, the House of Refuge was built by the U.S. government to aide shipwrecked sailors. There were about ten built on the east coast of Florida and there were signs posted on the beaches for how far an ocean-torn victim had to walk to find respite. Each house also had a keeper who would patrol the beaches daily to search for such unfortunate souls. The keeper and his family would nurse the sailors back to health and saved many lives. I love that the house has a storied history filled with the adventures of sailors, pirates, and soldiers of years past. The warmth, love, and kindness from a family of modest means toward strangers expresses our family values. And I enjoy the symbolism of how our relationship is a refuge from the storm of life. Kevin and I both felt like this place was really something special and unique.

Painting of the House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island

After the House of Refuge we ate lunch on the water en plein air at a restaurant called The Sailor's Return. It also had a stellar view and a relaxed atmosphere, not to mention excellent beer-battered fish and chips. We came home and took it easy that night by watching college basketball rivalry week. 

Sunday we went to brunch with three other couples at a Worth Avenue/Palm Beach institution called Taboo. It was nice to branch out and meet some other couples, but comfortable friendships take time and it's tough to not have that right away. Other than Lois and Steve, there aren't many people here with whom we can just hang out. 

How could you hate this wittle face?

 On Wednesday, I bid Varsha a safe journey as she set off on her African Adventure in Namibia on Friday. Her first flight was Friday to NYC and then she boarded her transatlantic flight on Saturday. She was very excited but also a little nervous because, apparently, there are a lot of stray cats in Namibia, and Varsha hates cats. The funny thing is when I asked her about bugs, she was utterly fearless. She's a funny one that little V. :o)

Go Phil! (with his wife Amy)

Shout out to my favorite golfer Phil Mickelson for winning Pebble Beach and mercilessly annihilating Tiger Woods. For those of you that don't know, I can't stand Tiger Woods and think he's a self-absorbed, whiny, entitled egomaniac. Whereas, Phil Mickelson is a gentleman golfer who is ultra-talented, humble, and plays with class. Not to mention all of Tiger's character issues off the green... and Phil who took time away from golf to care for his wife when she battled cancer. I prefer being a fan of someone who I actually like as a person and as an athlete, that is what a "role model" is after all.

CBD