Epilogue: Nuestra Familia y Amigos

“Cannon ball contest…Uncle Ryan is going first!” -one of the kids

Our welcome back to the states has been nothing short of spectacular, with a huge thanks going out to our family for inspiring such a memorable return.

First we met my parents in Fort Walton Beach, Florida where they hosted us for 4 days in the spectacular room they rented overlooking the white sandy beach and emerald green water. Uncle Alan and “Grampa” Bob were Connor’s fishing buddies every morning, where they caught a spectacular collection of sand fleas (but unfortunately no fish). Keegan, our resident water rat, spent his days alternating between the pool and playing in the ocean. He’s developed quite a tolerance for cold water, a byproduct of the showers in Ecuador. Evenings consisted of seafood and live music; “Gramma Cindy” is using as a business expense since we talked about fish oil. Our last day was spent visiting my cousin Scott and Aunt Judy, which has been 15 years overdue. We opted for our departure after dinner on Saturday so the kids wouldn’t have to endure another 7-hour ride entirely awake.

We reached Hilton Head at 3am on Sunday, with our arrival illuminated by neighborly lantern bearers, “Papa” Dick and “Maime” Mary. After a few hours of shut eye we met up with the rest of the Navin and Goering broods. An impromptu pool party, complete with breakfast cocktails, was the perfect way to be reunited with our family. Days were spent in heated discussions about whether we should go for a bike ride, swim in the pool, or play at the beach. And the perpetual question of what should we do for dinner. A boys’ sleepover, birthday party for Keegan (happy 8th, my man), and an epic match of mini-golf (adults versus kids, it ended in a tie) rounded out our week before staying in Savannah for our last night of this epic journey. (We didn’t even steal the toiletries this time.) 6am flight made for an early start but we’ll at least have the whole day ahead of us to settle in and unpack everything we left what feels like — and was — months ago.

Thanks to everyone for such an unforgettably warm welcome back! (Even if we still have to turn on the heat once home in Vermont.)