OBX Trip Report Card

Claire's grades for the trip:

• DFW to ORF/OBX trip: A-


• Sleeping at Corolla Beachhouse: C-


• Behavior: A (not counting the weird separation anxiety moments)


• Eating: A- (she really is a good eater even though it pains me how much formula we throw away)


• Sleeping at Nags Head Beachhouse: B (if you don't count the throw-up incident)


• ORF to DFW flight: C


• Cuteness: A+!

We had a fabulous time in North Carolina. It was wonderful to see all of the Pee family which we just don't do often enough, and going to bless a wedding between two awesome people made it even that much more special. Daphne's such an incredible person with a huge heart, strong convictions, and palpable loyalty ... oh, and killer calves ... hehe. She's totally someone I would want to be friends with even if I weren't related to her by marriage. And for her to find someone like Drew-(Pee) who is unmatchable in wit and random trivia and oozes love and affection for his new bride, I know there are many years of happiness and laughter ahead.

I may have said this before, but it's interesting that - since I've had Claire - when I see weddings, I think less of myself and more of what it will be to see my little girl all growed up and getting married off to someone else. Weird, right? So when I see a Daddy/Daughter dance, I may recollect my own with my Daddy, but tears will spring when I think about James dancing with Claire like that one day. Cheesey.

A special "Yay!" for people who do destination weddings (and invite us to attend!). Besides my own, we've gone to Syndee/Danny's (cruise/Mexico), Tim/Tenny's (California), Nina/Giang's (Costa Rica), and now Daphne/Drew's (Outer Banks) destination weddings together, and what I've discovered is that the weddings are even more enjoyable because you're relaxed on vacation and not worried about having to hurry back to anything immediately. It's just you, them, and tons of new memories. So, big time hint to you folks who have yet to tie the knot ... hint, hint, hint!

And I leave you with a little something that I provided to Daphne for her wedding. She had solicited words of wisdom from her guests on "what is love" and "what is marriage" to share during the ceremony. While mine may not be wisdom, per se, they're at least words (and some were even used!):

"Love is..." –

• undeniable


• taking each day to discover what more you can give rather than what else you can get … and being happy to do it


• willingly changing your last name to “Pee” because you want to share everything with the one you love :)


• a fire that must constantly be fed by supporting words, frequent hugs and kisses, and memories created together

"Marriage is..." –

• a commitment to actively show one another how much you love each other


• a union with your favorite travel companion, heat pump on cold nights, dinner date, partner in crime, and best friend


• entering the toughest and darkest of times arm-in-arm and emerging possibly charred, scarred, battered, and broken but clasping tightly hand-in-hand


• how you get your parents to stop worrying that you’re living in sin with a boy!