seven years ago

this was the beach i was walking with my parents when my mom told me she had breast cancer.  she has since kicked it and celebrated six years cancer free!

this was also the beach i was on later than same day when lance asked me to marry him.

it is crazy to me that both of these things were and always will be connected.  especially since i have lived away from home since 1997.  i was with my mom when she told me the life-changing news instead of me hearing it on a phone call.

i was also able to celebrate my engagement with both of my parents.  my traditional, old-fashioned husband was able to ask my father in person for my hand.  and he got to do it under the guise of getting black-jack tips from my dad in an atlantic city casino.

this trip has been a wonderful experience for the boys and i and i am so glad i was able to walk this same beach with both of my boys.  i hope that we can all come back as a family and celebrate...hopefully we won't wait another seven years the next time.