Family Getaway

The day we've been counting down to for months has finally come. With heavy carry-on bags and our passports in hand - our hearts race with excitement. In just a few short hours we will be in the arms of loved ones. 

Face to face after almost a whole year has gone by. You can't completely explain the anticipation of this moment. To see the spark in Ben's eyes sitting beside me on that plane was so special for me. The hours can't go by fast enough. The first embrace brings out so many emotions. Finally being together again after so long apart. You hold on tightly with a big smile, not wanting to let go! 

The tears well up in the eyes behind those sunglasses. Seeing Landon cuddled tightly in his Oma's arms for those few minutes just warms your heart. To see everyone smiling, the laughter, the close conversations, you take in every minute and wish it could stay like this forever. If only this could be a normal thing and we could always be together - to not have the long distance between families. 

But we try to only focus on the positive. The time we can spend together and to savor each day and each moment. One single image can say so much. I love watching this family play games together and I was happy to be a part of it. It was the perfect way to spend most of the evenings and to make these memories.

The days at the beach were so incredible. 

To have the warm sun on your face, your toes in the sand, and the sound of the waves. We couldn't be more relaxed here. To see Landon love his relatives so much was an indescribable emotion. He would wake up every morning calling for Oma and Opa with a big smile. When he would reach the bottom of the staircase and see his Uncles and Aunt he couldn't help but start giggling and giving out hugs. He couldn't get enough of them.

Family is so precious. That comfort of being with your own family is something that's hard to explain and you can't replace it. These are the people that know you better than anyone. The siblings you grew up with, the parents that raised you. To see Ben with his family brings out a different side of him that I love so much. The certain smile that he gets when he's with them. To be able to speak German and to feel that part of "home" back with him again. It's so amazing to witness.

The last day here is bittersweet. It's like that feeling of a Sunday night when you're a child - you know you have school the next day and you dread going. You try not to think about it but it always seems to cross your mind most of the day. But we do our best to not let it sink in too much. 

We couldn't of asked for a better last day. The weather was gorgeous and the smiles were impossible to wipe off. 

We are so thankful we were all able to make this trip happen together. We made some new memories and captured some pretty great snapshots.

Saying goodbye is never easy. That feeling you get when you need to give that last hug for awhile is the hardest thing to overcome. But we stay strong for each other - and say that life must go on. The weekly phone calls and Skype dates continue like before and we pray that the months go by fast until we are together again.

We are still adjusting to trading the nice warm flip flop weather for this fluffy white stuff and snow boots! What a switch! It was hard to unpack the summer clothes and have to put them away for a little while longer. Come on spring! We're more than ready for you...

We will keep pretty busy the next few weeks preparing for our big move to Burlington. Lots of boxes to pack and last minute things to prepare that should keep ourselves occupied for sure. We'll update more on that when we're all settled in. Thanks for reading!

Have a great night everyone!

S