The Pursuit of Togetherness By Britty Wesely
In a technology-driven world powered by Apple products and smart phones,
before. Here we spent our first days as a married couple and many days
it can be difficult to carve out quality time with the ones you love, sans noise.
since. Now we returned to celebrate one year of wedlock. While we’ve
We hope you find this enchanting tale of one couple’s anniversary trip in the
accustomed ourselves to this sleepy seaside town, we wandered with fresh
wilderness to be as inspiring as we did…
eyes, finding beauty in the little moments we may have missed before.
We took great delight in driving slowly with little more in mind than the pursuit of togetherness. Most of the drive was spent in silence – not an awkward, tension-filled silence, but more of a quiet comfort and appreciation. We zipped down Highway 1, tucked away in the winding road, peeking and booing around corners with deer, cattle, and the occasional passing car. After a few hours, we arrived at the cozy little loft we’d call home for the next couple days. Nestled between trees and rolling hills, the loft overlooked a tranquil turquoise sea. Its crashing waves fostered a rhythm with the inflow and outflow, quieting the mind and anchoring the soul. We gathered our belongings and settled indoors just as the sun began to set. The rest of the night was spent reading by candlelight, a fire roaring and a cup of tea brewing as our favorite records serenaded us. The next morning we woke to the calling of the sun, its rays peeking in through salt-stained windows. Warm sheets kept us in bed a little while longer as we laid watching flocks of waterfowl fly in formation and land softly on the blue glass of the bay, taking turns to dive for morning nourishment. We found comfort in the familiarity of this place we’ve been so many times
The following days we spent in tandem, exploring the hills and the connections forged through the experiences we shared. Our clothes and hair were branded by the scent of crisp, salty air as we hiked the coastline, stumbling upon herds of elk and views of blue unbound. Returning later to our lofty digs, we dined al fresco on cheese from local creameries, oysters caught outside our door, and a bottle of old grapes from a nearby vineyard. While rejuvenated by the fresh air and open skies, it was not the destination that provided a respite for our souls, but rather the companionship that bound us. For the boundaries of home transcend the four walls that regularly shelter us out to the experiences we share together. The other person becomes our anchor, amplifying that notion of home. We spent our last evening on the dock, seated close, hands clasped together. Mouths and minds silent, reassured by the company and the love we shared. The tide moved in and out as did the breath from our lungs. The sun set, the sky darkened and slowly became glittered with stars as the wine from our glasses vanished. The next morning, we reflected on the last year over a dark roast and toast