Wanderlust

In case you were wondering what feverish work schedule was being implemented to finish up "the project", well, here you have it...

It goes a little something like this:
"Church, what church?"

Yes, that's right, any excuse for a getaway...and lo and behold, my amazing nephew got married last weekend. In Florida. And we were SO.THERE.

Also there from various locations around the country were my four brothers and my sister. An all-too-rare occurrence, sadly enough. Spouses, children and grandchildren were also in attendance.  Sister-in-law's entire family, and friends of the family, some of whom I haven't seen in more than twenty years. Heaven.

And by heaven I mean getting to hang out at my brother's house on Tampa Bay with most of my favorite people in the world. I love it there. I seriously and unashamedly love it. Nothing but big skies and big water views, and a house that wraps you in it's arms and lets you breathe a little deeper. And a lot slower.

And though most of us were staying in nice hotels, we still came here day after day, to be together, to play and to take in the views and the comfort of this place. When given a chance, we all flock to this house, and each other, like swallows coming home to Capistrano.

And here I would like to offer Exhibit A. The Boy had absolutely no trouble relaxing. I'm pretty sure he's placed a drink order and has a volleyball game scheduled at 5. His binoculars are close by, just in case anything warrants closer inspection.

*He's also hoping no one will notice that they actually belong to Aunt Jane and that they are missing from that "child-friendly" shelf in the house.

The house. Sometimes I actually think I shouldn't be allowed to travel. I get easily smitten when in a fantastic place. Sometimes it's a great house that causes me to fall so hard, and sometimes it's the city/country itself. Although I know it comes from a childhood spent moving around, I can almost always imagine a wonderful new life and an exciting adventure in my new locale. And let me tell you right now that A LOT of time can be spent "mentally" moving your entire life. And there's a genuine melancholy when you remind yourself that it is just not destined to be. Of course, smitten doesn't always happen.  I mean, I have been to Newark, for example. ahem.

But it does happen when I go here.  Always.

As Exhibit B, I would just like to mention that all of these photos were taken from the back yard and dock of said house.

Daughter has a pretty great time hanging with the family, as well. But she is annoyingly levelheaded when it comes to relocating to every single "Florida-Hawaii-or-Paris" that comes along. Although she does make serious noise about living in Rome someday. I guess the gypsy apple doesn't fall far from the tree, after all.

But, oh, the skies. I really think it's these skies that I fall so in love with. The same tropical fascination that lures me to Hawaii. Vast, dramatic, volatile sky-scapes that change by the second, daring you to blink lest you miss another spectacular display. Let's just call this Exhibit C.

Breathtaking beauty in all directions, and at every hour of the day. Mesmerizing. A cleansing of the soul with each sunset. And all of this happens each day as you do the dishes, or play catch with  a nephew, or sit on the deck with a sibling or five. *sigh*

So brother, friend, father-of-the-groom, thank you for letting me hang out in your amazing world once again. I am still feeling the  emotional tug.

And about that now empty guest suite with the private deck? (Shhh...I'll be back. Soon. And try not to be alarmed by all the suitcases.) Love you!

And congratulations Dave and Heather! The wedding was beautiful.

(Could the two of you possibly BE any cuter?? Sheesh.)

Comments

[biddy]

oh man...

so, when are we leaving for florida!?

[biddy]

and seriously? your brother is HOTT!

why are all the hott ones married!?