Kauai

It's hard to believe that I was in Hawaii just last week. It seems like a lifetime and a world away.  My trip to the islands was amazing.  It was my first visit back in almost five years, and it was one of my only times away from the kids since Skyler was born.  A relaxing second honeymoon you ask?  Nope.  Rather, a productive, ultra-busy whirlwind week that included touring prospective schools and interviewing principals, hiring realtors, house-hunting for homes to buy/rent, putting in an offer on a house, having the offer accepted, and even going through the home inspection just before getting back on the plane to DC.  Whew!

In the middle of all this busyness, Kurt and I took a trip to Kauai to attend the wedding of a dear friend of mine--the reason why I made this trek back to Hawaii in the first place.  

My friend Pam.  I've known her since my days in NYC; we both attended Teachers College and lived in I-House.  We got to know each other at one of the happiest times of my life.  Skipping down Broadway together singing aloud, exploring the culinary delights of the city, dancing the nights away, talking until the wee hours and dreaming of our future...these and so many more memories of our time together I still hold so dear.  I have made many, many acquaintances in my years on the mainland but really, truly, only a handful of people I can call friends.  I feel so blessed to call Pam my friend, and I felt so honored to be able to celebrate her special day with her.  

When Kurt and I first landed in Kauai, we found out
that our offer on the house had been accepted!
So exciting!  We wanted to celebrate...but since
Kauai shuts down early, this was pretty much the only open
restaurant that we could find.  We were the only ones in there...
I guess you could say, very intimate!

Taking some time to relax
the day of the wedding.

 

Trying to get back into local girl mode,
but feeling more like a tourist.  

 

We saw a Hawaiian monk seal.
That's a cell phone transmitter on her back.

 

The wedding was held at a beach house in Poipu.
So lovely and the weather was perfect.

Here comes the bride.
This part always gets me from the start.
Luckily, I had tissues.

Pam and Chung, the lucky groom.
What a great couple--they seem to be
made for each other.

Just married!

Although we've been in touch, I had not seen Pam
before this day since I was pregnant with Chase!
It was like a dream to be here at her wedding!

The reception was fun and lively;
the food was amazingly delicious.

The day after the wedding, we snuck in
a little sightseeing at the Spouting Horn. 

 

 

First day as newlyweds.
Congratulations, Pam and Chung!
I wish you a lifetime of love and friendship.

Pam, I miss you already!
Don't forget our 3-year plan...