Beachy.

It was just like old times.

Except this time, there was alcohol.

Cue our first family vacation in seventeen years. Our gift to our parents for their twentieth wedding anniversary and sixtieth birthdays was a summer vacation reunion. We put ourselves back in Myrtle Beach, brought the rafts (and boogie boards, which didn't exist seventeen years ago), grandkids, board games, and significant others; ate at a few ancient restaurants that are still there; and survived a tiff or two.

But my most favorite parts...there were three:

1. My mom and stepdad arm in arm on the beach, while all four of their kids splashed in the ocean, completely overjoyed that they had everyone in the same place to gaze upon and love on.
2. Cooking incredible meals in the kitchen with my equally incredible sisters. 
3. Sitting around with my family after those incredible meals, playing games, and watching them all play with our kids. 

It was the absolute best way to end the summer: sunshine, warmth, love.