Seaside Summer Tradition with Heart

Each year, when the summer sun starts calling, there’s one place that always feels like home: Seaside. Our family trip to this sweet coastal town is one of our most cherished rhythms—where laughter echoes louder, days stretch longer, and time somehow slows down. This year, Seaside felt extra special (and a little tender), and I want to share the heart behind it all. We packed up and headed south for our annual Seaside summer tradition—this time, celebrating my birthday along the way. There’s something about welcoming a new year of life with salty air, beach bikes, and barefoot days with my people that feels sacred. I’ve found over the years that the more I lean into yes, the more beauty finds me right in the middle of the messy, real-life moments.

The Heart Behind “Yes”

When I talk about “saying yes,” I don’t just mean yes to a trip. I mean yes to connection, yes to slowing down, yes to making room for joy even when life feels heavy. Seaside has become a symbol of that for our family—of making intentional memories in a place that holds our laughter, our stories, and our traditions.

This year came with a little plot twist: sweet Adelaide took a tumble and fractured her growth plate just before the trip. Her little knee injury had us adjusting our plans and pivoting with care—but wow, what a trooper she was. Watching her handle the change with grace and grit reminded me how resilient kids are, and how powerful it is to just be together, even when things aren’t perfect. That’s the real magic.

The Traditions We Never Skip

Our Seaside trip is always full of the sweet little rhythms that feel like home—moments that don’t need to be fancy to be meaningful. Even with Adelaide’s knee injury this year, we were determined to keep the spirit of our trip alive. She was such a trooper, and we found ways to slow down and still make it special.

One of our favorite stops this time was The Hub, where there’s always something happening—live music, games, and the best energy. It’s a place where the kids can run (or in our case, scoot gently) around, and we can try a mix of goodies from the food trucks and grab something for everyone. We spent slow evenings there soaking in the summer air and enjoying easy moments together.

A few restaurants we always make time for? Bud & Alley’s—a dreamy little spot that’s perfect for a date night. There’s just something about dinner with an ocean view and a breeze that makes everything feel like a scene from a movie. For the best burgers and comfort food, Pickles is my go-to. And of course, we love heading to Great Southern for classic southern fare and the cozy, familiar feel that keeps us coming back.

Even though some of our usual beach bike rides and seashell hunts looked a little different this year, the heart of our trip stayed the same—slow mornings, shared meals, sunshine, and space to simply be together.

Saying Yes to the Season You’re In

This trip reminded me again that the beauty of saying yes isn’t about the perfect plan—it’s about presence. It’s about chasing what matters most, letting go of the hustle, and holding close the ones you love. I’m so grateful for another year of Seaside memories, for a birthday that overflowed with love, and for a trip that reminded me that even when things don’t go as expected… the heart behind the yes is what truly matters.

Until next summer, Seaside. 🌊💛