the beach

i went to the beach this week. i had a client training in jacksonville, florida and used the opportunity to go early and thaw my body out from the bitter cleveland winter. i also used the opportunity to book myself an oceanfront room at a marriott on the beach (i know...uhmazing! i totes deserved it).  it was incredible. 

much to my surprise, i've discovered that cleveland is the 5th cloudiest city in the united states. i can't remember the last time i saw the sun for more than 10 minutes, so you can imagine what a treasure it was to step off the plan in jacksonville and feel like a flower blooming in the sun. energy and life immediately found it's way back into my body. 

i spent 2.5 days working from my oceanfront balcony while listening to the sound of the waves. during my breaks and evenings, i took strolls along the beach, jogged along the beach, laid on the beach, stared at the ocean and generally just soaked it in. i don't think i EVER stopped smiling inside. i have felt more joy, happiness and contentment in the last few days than i have in months and i am so grateful. i needed it. (my poor husband needs it too, but i am really glad we have the kind of relationship where we can take off on our own and be happy for the other person, even though the other is home "working"). 

someday, craig and i will live on the beach. we will be those people that can't exist a day without feeling the sand on our feet or hearing the sound of the waves. we will wake up early drawn to the gorgeous sunrise, and sip tea while watching it. we will jog on it in the mornings, play on it during the day, and walk on it at night. until then, these few days of heaven should get me by for the next few months until the ocean and i reunite.