Lake Life.

Last year, toward the end of the summer, Sean and I decided to make a pretty large purchase. Our brother-in-law (married to Sean's sister) was looking to sell his 19-foot Chaparral. He has taken impeccable care of this boat over the past 8 years, and he gave Sean an offer that would have been difficult to refuse.

Now, I've heard it said many times that the best days of a boat owner's life are the day he buys the boat, and the day he sells the boat. We haven't quite had the boat for a full year yet, but we've already forked over hundreds of dollars for minor repairs, spent an un-calculated amount on filling the boat with gas (not to mention the car, which pulls the boat to and from the lake), and we've endured the stress that is inevitable at the boat ramp. All of that said, I can honestly say that the memories we are creating while on the boat are worth it.

The boys got the boat all cleaned up and ready for this 2015 season.

Sean has always been honest about his love of boating. He grew up enjoying his grandfather's boat (we have pictures of Sean as a newborn going on his first boat ride), so I've known for some time now that owning a boat was one of his goals. I just never realized it would happen so soon. He's currently warming me up to the idea of making a retirement plan that includes living on a cabin boat and traveling the inner-coastal waterway. Actually living on a boat may be a stretch for me, but as far as having a love for being out on the water? I get it. It is relaxing and enjoyable in a way that nothing else we do as a family is. It means we literally pluck our family out of "real life", pull the kids (and ourselves) away from a world of technology, and instead focus on spending uninterrupted, quality time together.



The kids have loved this new experience. Lake life is becoming just a normal part of who we are, and I love that. We've also been able to use the boat as a great way to spend time with friends and family. No televisions, no iPad games, nowhere to be, except together. I see this as a wonderful thing and I believe it will keep my family well-connected as our children turn into teenagers, and eventually adults. I hope Sean and I will be just like "Boat-Granddaddy and Grandma", entertaining grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren, out on the water. 




As for Sean, he is in his own little Heaven when driving this boat. I enjoy watching him in his element, sun-kissed and stress-free. We are excited about this new boating season and all of the memories waiting to be created!


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