Seven Year Anniversary.

We used to think the gold standard was to try to go back to Maine for Memorial Day/our anniversary weekend. I mean, it probably still is, but-- COVID.

So instead we spent the week learning about Vikings,

unearthing the hammock,

working out,

catching up with our #quaranteam,

returning (tentatively, and masked) to grocery shopping,

and embracing the start of summer. Dressed like this, for no earthly reason.

And then, instead of Maine, we fled to Wilkes County. Which is kind of all that is right with the world.

We celebrated seven years of this wild and wonderful roller coaster camping,

discovering "Davy Crockett cabins,"

enjoying Stone Mountain, which April and I used to climb regularly but which I hadn't been to in many years,

doing lots of "dang'wous" things,

enjoying rock slides and creeks,

fishing the trout streams,

and generally acting Wilkes County- terrible.

Plus. fireworks.

After a long weekend celebrating, we somehow also managed a sleepover (why are sleepovers not illegal, again??!),

a trip to visit Seth at his High Lake spot for the weekend Bass Fishing Tournament (likely scaring all the fish away),

a meetup at a very  Americana BBQ spot,

and a pool party (complete with skinny dipping).

My favorite photos of the week are of Finley working out with me in the woods while the boys fished,

and our anniversary dinner at the camper, because every year gets better than the last and I can't imagine doing this life any better than we're doing it, together. Cheers to you, Seth, and to these tickets, and to many more wild, outdoor anniversary celebrations.

Seth Retired.

In March, Seth quietly and officially retired from the Army. There was no fanfare. I don't even recall the exact date. 

We had originally, for a lot of logistical reasons, planned a big May retirement ceremony for him. As with all plans, this one was COVID-ed, but the occasion needed to be marked somehow. 

Luckily, we have friends-who-are-family (we are eternally grateful to the Rays and Ryans), 

so we got to take a few low-key minutes to celebrate the guy who worked so hard to go from this

to this

to this

to this

to this

to this. 

Seth's incredible service deserved so much more, but it was nice to be able to give him a zoom audience from all over;

 

a video with thoughts from some (but nowhere close to all!) the many people whose lives he's touched;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq4Kk20cz-k&t=662s

and embarrassing amounts of meat, cupcakes, and pool time.

Plus, he scored some beard grooming accessories (woohoo!)

And, because it was the Ryans', there were fireworks. Naturally.

We did the best we could to make it special, and then rolled the celebration into another week of lake time and kid fishing- Seth's favorites.

And now, because he's retired, I started him on the "honey do" list, which included cleaning out the garage with these useless helpers.

(Why do we own this many fake turkeys??)

There isn't really a way to adequately honor and commemorate Seth's service.
But this comes close.

Seth, we love you, we're so proud of you, and we look forward to the next chapter. Thank you for everything you've given, and the difference you've made.