An Anniversary and a Wedding

October 15, 2013

Deltaville, VA

Today we celebrate our thirty-first anniversary. We never could have imagined then where we would be now. When I said “I do,” I was willing to sail with Keith to the ends of the earth but didn’t realize it might actually be on a boat. Little did I know when I became first mate to my captain that I was signing up for such an adventure.

I remember the first little hint, though, while we were dating. We drove past a tiny sailboat with a For Sale sign in a yard, and Keith casually remarked, “I’d like to own a sailboat someday.” Cruising down that road in land-locked Minnesota, I blithely said okay, not giving it a second thought.

                                                                 

Thirty-one years later, we’re so grateful for every day God has given us and the voyage we’ve been on together (which includes our son, Sean). Living in close quarters for months on these sailing trips—depending on each other day in and day out, teamwork not optional—can work like super-glue in a marriage. We’re glad it’s been a great bonding experience, as expressed by this poem: 

Anniversary dinner at The Sandpiper, Irvington, VA

“We’ve grown to be one soul, two parts,

Our lives so intertwined

That when some passion stirs your heart

I feel the quake in mine.”  ~ Gloria Gaither

Before we cast off again, we're taking a very exciting trip home for Heather Garborg and Lee Moen’s wedding on October 26. We hope their marriage will lead to all kinds of shared passions and a better life together than they could even dream right now.

Back Where She Belongs

September 26 - October 14, 2013

Deltaville, VA

Pelican is back on the water where she belongs. After five years, four months, and ten days, she was hoisted from her perch in the dusty boatyard and splashed into the water on October 4. What a happy day!

 

We predicted a much shorter hiatus from cruising. In May 2008 we had Pelican stored on the hard while we returned home for what we thought was four months. When we were both offered jobs, it made sense for us to work for a while and seemed like home was where we belonged.

Every year we hoped to get back on the boat, maybe even work while living aboard, but the timing was never right. They were good years though. We contented ourselves with regular visits to the boatyard to check on Pelican and keep her waxed and polished.

This year the time has finally come to get back on board, and we’re excited at the prospect of winter in the Bahamas rather than in Minnesota. Since September 26 we’ve been up to our elbows working through a stem-to-stern checklist, with predictable project-creep. Because Pelican has been out of the water for so long, we’re doing all kinds of maintenance never needed before. By the time we set out, our fingers are crossed that every system will be ready for a long and trouble-free voyage.

 

Would we like to be further along with projects or farther down the waterway? Sure. But we’re thankful to be right where we are. Now that we’re liveaboards, our cozy quarters are beginning to feel like home again—like where we belong.

“Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there” 1 Corinthians 7:17 msg.