Ten Days of Pure Magic: My Family's Beach Trip & What I'd Tell My Younger Self

Okay, you guys. I'm still riding the wave from our last family beach trip. Ten days. Ten glorious, sandy, sun-kissed days with my whole heart – Tanner, Stella, Ozzy, and our sweet baby Cherry. It was just... everything. Like, pure, unadulterated, messy, beautiful, chaotic, perfect everything. We go to the beach a lot, it’s our happy place, but this one felt extra special. Maybe it's bc Cherry is getting bigger and seeing her little toes in the sand for the first time, or maybe it's bc Stella and Ozzy are at that age where they just *get it* and soak up every single second. Whatever it was, my heart is so full I could just burst :,).

Being there, watching them, laughing with Tanner, it got me thinking. You know how sometimes you just have those moments where you wish you could go back in time? Like, if I could just tap 2016-me on the shoulder and whisper a few things in her ear, what would I say? What wisdom would I impart to that girl who was just starting out on this wild, beautiful journey of motherhood and marriage? Tbh, I'd have a lot to say, hahah. But mostly, it would be about savoring these moments, letting go of the small stuff, and trusting the process. Bc man, I spent a lot of time stressing about things that just don't matter now.

Embrace the Beautiful Chaos, Always

If I could tell 2016-me one thing, it would be this: embrace the chaos. Seriously. I used to get so caught up in things being perfect. The perfectly clean house, the perfectly planned day, the perfectly behaved kids (lol, good luck with that one, past Lo!). But life with kids, especially three little girls, is anything but perfect. It's loud, it's messy, it's unpredictable. And you know what? That's where the magic is. That's where the real memories are made. This beach trip? It wasn't perfect. There were meltdowns over sand in the eyes, arguments over who got the pink shovel, and probably way too many goldfish crackers for lunch. But those are the moments I'll remember. Stella's infectious giggle as a wave splashed her, Ozzy's determined little face building a sandcastle that immediately crumbled, Cherry just staring wide-eyed at the ocean like it was the most amazing thing she'd ever seen. Those are the moments you can't plan, you can't control, and you definitely can't make perfect. You just have to be present and soak them in. I wish I'd learned that sooner, bc I spent too much time trying to wrangle life into submission instead of just letting it unfold.

Experiences Over Things, Every Single Time

This is another huge one. I think as a young mom, especially with social media, there's so much pressure to have all the 'things.' The cutest outfits, the latest gear, the perfectly curated nursery. And don't get me wrong, I love a good find and making our home feel cozy! But what truly fills my cup, what truly makes my heart sing, are the experiences. This beach trip is a perfect example. We didn't buy a ton of new stuff for it. We packed our trusty beach wagon, some well-loved toys, and a whole lot of snacks. And it was still the best ten days. Bc it wasn't about what we had, it was about what we did. It was about building sandcastles until our fingers were prune-y, splashing in the waves until our lips were blue, finding seashells, and just being together. I'd tell 2016-me to invest in those moments, those trips, those adventures, big or small. Bc those are the things your kids will remember. They won't remember the brand of their stroller, but they'll remember the feeling of sand between their toes and the sound of their dad laughing as he throws them in the air. My mom raised me as a single mom, and she always prioritized experiences for us, even when money was tight. She showed me that those memories are priceless, and I'm so grateful she instilled that in me.

Let Go of the Small Stuff (It's All Small Stuff, Tbh)

Oh my gosh, past Lo, you worried so much! About everything! About what other people thought, about whether I was doing enough, about tiny little details that literally don't matter in the grand scheme of things. I'd tell her to take a deep breath. To look at her babies, look at Tanner, and realize that as long as they're happy and healthy and loved, everything else is just background noise. The dishes can wait. The laundry pile will still be there. That one comment someone made? Totally irrelevant. Our beach trip was a great reminder of this. There were moments when I could've let a little annoyance ruin a whole hour – like when someone tracked sand *all the way* into the rental, or when Cherry decided to have a full-on tantrum right as we were trying to leave the beach. But instead of letting it spiral, I just... let it go. We shook out the sand, we cuddled Cherry until she calmed down, and we moved on. And bc of that, those little bumps in the road didn't overshadow the pure joy of the trip. Tbh, most of the things we worry about are just not worth the mental energy. Save that energy for snuggles and belly laughs, fr.

Your People Are Your Everything, Soak Them In

This is probably the most important one. I knew I loved Tanner and my girls, even back then. But I don't think I fully grasped just how precious and fleeting these moments are. How quickly they grow, how fast time flies. Looking back at Stella and Ozzy when they were tiny, and now seeing Cherry at this stage, it's a constant reminder to just soak it all in. On this trip, I made a conscious effort to put my phone down (mostly, hahah, you know me!) and just *be* with them. To watch Tanner play with the girls in the waves, to listen to their silly conversations, to feel their little hands in mine. My heart just swells thinking about it. Tanner is truly my hype man, my best friend, and the most incredible dad. Seeing him with our girls just melts me. And my girls, oh my girls. They are my world. I couldn't imagine life without them. I'd tell 2016-me to hug them tighter, kiss them more, and tell them you love them a million times a day. Bc these years, these little moments, they're the good old days in the making. Don't let a single one slip by unappreciated.

Permission to Be Imperfect

Lastly, I'd give my younger self permission. Permission to not have it all together. Permission to make mistakes. Permission to not be the 'perfect' mom or wife. Bc honestly, perfect is boring. Real is better. Real is relatable. Real is where connection happens. On this trip, there were days I felt like supermom, and days I felt like I was barely holding it together. And both were okay! Both were part of the experience. I'd tell her it's okay to ask for help, it's okay to have a bad day, it's okay to not know all the answers. The most important thing is to show up, to love fiercely, and to keep trying. That's all any of us can do. And that's more than enough. So if you're reading this, and you're feeling overwhelmed, or like you're not doing enough, I'm giving you permission too. Permission to just be you, in all your messy, beautiful, imperfect glory. You're doing great, mama. You really are. Now go hug your people, bc that's what truly matters. We love you guys sm!! ❤