3. Unwind with Kerri

Transcript

You weren't expecting anything over the top for your birthday, but you did have one wish to go to the ocean. Take to the road with a well-curated playlist and make it for the coast, feeling the sand underneath your feet, waves pulling you in and down as you sink deeper into the beach. And now you're here.

There's an orange glow coming up on the horizon, a rich purple of clouds just below it, sunrise after a long, late-night drive, your partner gently stirring beside you in the comfy queen bed. You kiss the crown of their head and slide out from under the covers. You throw on the sweatshirt, socks, and the sandals you brought to go step outside in the still, chilly morning.

Over the course of several minutes, the orange brightens as the bulb of the sun reveals itself, the purple clouds changing shape ever so slightly. Miles and miles out into the ocean, past the ocean, the sun is rising, or the earth is turning, making it appear so. Your partner joins you, their arms and a blanket wrapped around your shoulders.

The birds are beginning to rise as well and sing their good mornings to one another, and perhaps even happy birthday to you. Once the sun is fully visible over the water, your partner asks if you're hungry and you head into the kitchen together. They start bringing out the eggs and bread and fruit they brought along and begin making you a birthday breakfast.

Their soundtrack is the hiss of eggs frying, the coffeemaker drip, and the faint crash of the waves rolling endlessly on the beach behind you. An early morning with no obligations, perfect. You set the table for breakfast as your partner finishes cooking and comes over to serve the meal onto the kitschy seashell plates.

This place is classic, with seagulls painted on the coffee mugs and even shelled details on the ends of the silverware. You enjoy breakfast together, toast with your favorite fig preserve, scrambled eggs and a fruit salad, coffee. You talk about your plans for the day, beach walk, nap, reading time back on the sand and then… outdoor dinner somewhere with a special birthday dessert?

Sounds like a plan. You both clean the table before losing your socks and grabbing your sandals to go out the back door and onto the beach. You're holding hands.

Once you reach the really sandy part, you kick off your sandals and leave them at the opening of the trail up to the bungalow. There's almost no one around as you look down along the coast. You let go of your partner's hand and walk down to the waves.

It's still a bit chilly out and the water could be a shock, but you don't mind. You find the spot where you can stand in one place as the incoming waves ripple onto your toes in a rhythmic fashion and head back out to sea. The short bursts of cold water begin to acclimate your feet until you are ready to walk in up to your ankles, then calves.

Here the ocean can begin to really push and pull on you, wrapping you in the pulse of her power. You imagine the water washing away what no longer serves you from the previous year and bringing fresh energy and new inspiration into the year ahead. You think about the concept of the sun coming back to the same place in the sky it was at your birth, or, again, the earth spinning and revolving to bring you to that place.

Five hours away from where you celebrated your last birthday, and ten hours away from where you were born. All the trails and waves of struggle and connection that have brought you to this point, so well taken care of by the love of your life. Lost in this reverie, your partner steps down towards the waves beside you and takes your hand.

You give their hand a squeeze, and they squeeze back. They invite you to walk down the beach and you take off together, finding seashells and keeping an eye out for shark's teeth. By the time you turn around, you are feeling the effects of too little sleep.

You did make the drive last minute, as your yen for the ocean only occurred yesterday. Your partner so graciously scrapped their original plan and made this beach trip happen for you at the last minute, because it was what you really wanted. You feel like a queen for that.

The beach is starting to populate. Retirees out on their solo morning strolls, a group of ladies chatting and power walking, a young family with kids out before the sun gets intense. You smile at the people you pass as you make your way back to the bungalow, pick up your sandals and wash off your feet with the hose and shower outside.

After drying your feet off with a towel, you return to the comfort of the plush queen bed and fall asleep with your wonderful partner beside you. You sleep deeply and awaken fully rested. It's time to emerge from the covers.

You are ready for some more time on the sand, reading and maybe writing in your journal. You fold up a big beach blanket that can hold the both of you, fill a tote bag with your current novel, journal and sunscreen, and your beach hat you brought. You got it for that one trip to Costa Rica and usually forget to bring it with you, but you remembered this time.

Your partner says they'll come join you soon, and you go out to find a patch of sand to claim for the afternoon. You unfold and unfurl the blanket, letting it undulate in the wind and straighten out as much as possible before lying it down on the sand and using your sandals and a couple pieces of driftwood to keep the edges secure. You aren't sure if you'll have the nerve to fully immerse yourself in the water, but your swimsuit is on, just in case, and comfy layers over so that you can warm up in the sun and remove them piece by piece.

You lie down on your belly and bring out your novel. It's by one of your favorite writers and is taking you back to a simpler time in your life. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure, but with enough depth and truth to make the nostalgia worthwhile.

You open the book up to where you last left off and enter into the land of the lead character, Vivian. You shift positions between lying on your front, your back, and your side, adjusting your hat and sunglasses as needed and taking breaks from the book to just lie face up, arms behind head, and eyelids closed. There's no time pressure, no worries as you follow your own internal rhythm in and out of the story, drifting between narrative, your own thoughts, and the pure sensation of the salty air on your skin.

Your partner calls out to you as they walk closer with a tray in their hands. It's a beach picnic, with grapes and crackers and little fancy finger sandwiches. They even have two old-timey glass bottles of the soda you used to love as a kid.

Now that is truly the guilty pleasure. You clink your bottles together for a birthday cheers. To another year around the sun, this birthday trip has just begun.

You snack together on the beach blanket and spend the entire afternoon reading and writing, walking and tide watching. As the sun is starting to go down over the other side of the bungalow, you decide to take the plunge. It's one of those things where you can't stop yourself once you've gotten the urge.

You are not going to hold back from what scares you to start off a new year. You share this with your partner, and they want to go for it too. You both strip down to your bathing suits and look out at the waves together.

You can feel the electricity running through your hand to theirs, their hand to yours, the ocean to the sand, the sand up through your legs. You start to do a little jog in place, and your partner follows, feet bouncing up and down in the sand, building the energy until you say, one, two, three, go. You both run for the water, dive under a wave as it arches before the crash.

You feel the breathtakingly cold water rush over your arms, your head, shoulders, back and legs, your whole body now submerged. You adjust quickly to the water, and you push yourself up for air. You laugh as you see your partner come up for air and turn towards you for a high five and a big hug.

You kiss in between waves, diving and laughing, hugging and joking as you feel the sun sinking lower behind the house. The sky is changing colors again, oranges and pinks leaning into purples and blues. You decide to go back in together, walking out of the ocean towards the beach.

With each step out of the water, you feel more and more grateful for this life you've created together. You run for your towels, and your partner helps gather up the books and tray, sandals and extra clothes as you scurry back into the bungalow, washing off your feet and jumping into a hot shower for some warmth. Maybe you'll even invite your partner in with you once they get back.

You lather body wash in your hands, washing the sand and the salt off your arms, your chest, your stomach, and legs. You see your partner come in through the back door, bite your lip, and motion for them to come join you. As a smile spreads across their face, you feel your face flush and your heart start to beat a little faster.

It really is beautiful to feel so loved, no matter what day it is.