People and Adventures

Lucy,

I wanted to mark this past weekend. It was a jam packed weekend. One that left me exhausted and absolutely slap full of joy.  From neighborhood picnics, to cook-outs and live music on Saturday, then church, a 6 mile canoe paddle (complete with a tipped boat in the middle of the river), and a Bar-B-Q on Sunday.   You moved from one event to the next with your sweet spirit and your ready-to-go attitude.  You are a little extrovert, a people-lover for sure, just like your daddy.

I imagine that when you’re older and you ask for a story about the early years, this will be a weekend I tell you about.

What I can’t wait to tell you, is just how big of a person is in your tiny little body.  You are so delightfully infectious.  When you enter a gathering, you meet each gaze with a big cheesy smile.  You so genuinely love being around people, that they genuinely enjoy your company.  And from someone who’s always been an introvert and struggled some with shyness, it’s awe-inspiring to watch you.  Saturday night you charmed all and by the time we left everyone knew your name and your dance moves.   

But here's where you really blew me away...

When we were first asked about going on a 6 mile river paddle, I admit I didn't think it would happen.  You are just so active right now and do not like being constrained in any way and I could just imagine a 3 hour wrestling match trying to keep you inside the boat all the way down the river.

But your dad and I talked, and decided that we didn't want to make decisions and miss opportunities based on how we assume you may or may not react to something  After all, from biking to backpacking, you have loved it all.  And we've been wanting to get you on the water for awhile now.  So why not now?

When we arrived at the drop-off point, we definitely got some "she's so cute!" mixed in with some "you're so brave!"  

Lucy, we had high hopes and we're thinking positively, but you blew us away.  Three hours on the water and not only did you not have any melt downs, but you were so in love with the whole situation.  You took turns sitting with your dad in the back and then sitting with me in the front, helping us paddle, skimming the water with your fingers, and playing with pine cones and eating blueberries in the middle of the boat.  You waved and squealed at the other kayaks and canoes.  We stopped on a rock island and you climbed around on the rocks and splashed in the water.  You enjoyed every part of it. 

You fell asleep in my arms the last 15 minutes or so and stayed asleep as I climbed out of the boat and we waited to be picked up.  You were exhausted.  But in your typical power nap fashion, you woke after 30 minutes.  Just in time to get some dry clothes on and join everyone for a Bar-B-Q and more dancing of course.

You have your Mama's adventure heart and your Daddy's people heart.  I can't wait to see how God uses that...