Promises When I first came to this place over twenty years ago, I think we were engaged. It seemed odd then to be invited in when we weren’t married yet. I remember the anxiety I felt as we climbed the mountains and took the hairpin turn. Would I like it here? Would they like me? I slept in the small open bedroom (yes, there is no door) and he slept on the sleeping porch. I fell in love with the place. And now we have come back countless times, each time with one more notch, one more step our milestones. Married. Married with one child. Married with two children. Married but only he went with one child. Etc. Etc. Each time different. Each time magical. Each time the promise that we will return. That first year, I never knew. I never knew that this would be our place. I never imagined that we would keep coming back. I imagined it, maybe, but didn’t know it would last the way it has. Now our children have fallen in love with it. How could
balancing life, work, and family