outer banks

Outer Banks Family Photographer | Robinson Family

Outer Banks Family Photographer | Robinson Family

It’s not often that, nearly a decade after graduating, I still get to connect with college friends from Virginia Tech. Matt and I met through Baptist Collegiate Ministries there and weathered the perils of college and statistics class together. Somehow, with late nights and cookie logs (try one if you haven’t!), we both passed, graduated, got married…and each have a kid! It’s a little crazy to think about, but here we are, the adults we never thought we would become.

Every other year, Matt’s family rents a beach house in the Outer Banks to spend time together as part of their tradition. I got to meet them down there just a few days after Hurricane Florence and amazingly, the roads were open and the rain held off! I got to meet Sam, his one-year-old, and get re-acquainted with some of his family whom I met when I visited Hampton Roads years ago as Nathan’s girlfriend…

Our Richmond Vacation | Personal

Our Richmond Vacation | Personal

Family time is absolutely the best thing for me. More than traveling the world, more than long weekends with nothing to do, and more than coffee with a good friend - though these are all things I love. But nothing sets my heart quite at peace like spending time with my family, and all the better when EVERYONE is there - which is hard to coordinate with so many people now!

A few weeks ago my Mom arranged a weekend for us in Richmond. Last year we vacationed with family in the Outer Banks but with busy schedules, new kids, and babies on the way, she planned a weekend excursion in Richmond instead. We went to a campground and had our own little cabin to stay in.

The first night we simply all showed up and spent time together. It's amazing how quickly our family has grown, so catching up with my favorite people is always a joy that takes hours and hours, never quite getting done! On Saturday we woke up to a full day together and my Dad continued the tradition of having a family devotion, something which I haven't always appreciated but have grown to love over the years...

I Can't Just Give Money | Personal

I Can't Just Give Money | Personal

It feels strange to say this but it's true: this blog post, and the heart behind it, has been a lifetime in the making. As a child I grew up overseas with parents who had a mission and purpose beyond just living a comfortable life and achieving the 'white picket fence' dream - it's something for which I'm forever grateful. Living in a third world environment for 9 years of my life has changed my perspective permanently.

It had been years since I had left the country when Nathan and I visited Africa in January. We have traveled a lot - PortlandSeattle, the Outer BanksCharleston, and Arizona, to name a few - but it has all been for fun vacations or getaways. This year's trip was for a greater purpose and sparked something inside of me that I had long ago forgotten...