OCEAN ​

Sunday 23 October 2022

Our First Ocean Adventure ​

It took us about an hour to get there, but the journey was worth every minute. Rye became the backdrop for a milestone in our new life: our family's first encounter with the ocean… sorry, I should say OCEAN! This wasn't just another day; it was the kind of experience that stays with you forever.

We had just gotten our first car, a humble but reliable vehicle that gave us the freedom to explore. Until then, moving around had been a challenge. Public transport and Uber could only take us so far, but the car opened up a whole new world. And the first place we decided to visit? The Ocean.

The Drive ​

The excitement started long before we arrived. The kids couldn't sit still, their laughter filling the car as we drove through Melbourne's suburbs. The roads, with their twists and turns, felt like a path to something magical. Every landmark we passed seemed to whisper that we were getting closer to something extraordinary.

We had packed snacks, towels, and a sense of curiosity, ready to meet the vast, endless blue for the first time as a family. The kids kept pointing out anything that looked remotely like water, their voices rising in excitement with every wrong guess.

As we got closer, the salty breeze began to fill the air, a hint of what was to come. The boys' excitement grew, and so did ours. This was more than a trip; it was a celebration of how far we had come and a reminder of all the new experiences still ahead.

The Moment ​

When we finally arrived, the sight was breathtaking.

The ocean stretched out endlessly, its waves crashing gently against the shore. The sound of the water, the sparkle of sunlight on the waves - it was overwhelming in the best possible way. For a moment, we all just stood there, taking it in, barely able to speak.

The boys were the first to run toward the water, their laughter echoing as they dipped their feet into the cool waves. They played, splashed, and chased each other along the shore, their joy infectious. It was their first meeting with the ocean, and they embraced it with pure, unfiltered excitement. They shouted things like, “This is amazing!” and “Why didn't we come here sooner?”

For us, it was a quieter awe. The vastness of the ocean seemed to pull away the weight of the past months, leaving us with nothing but gratitude. Watching the boys, we felt a deep appreciation for this moment - for the safety, the opportunity, and the beauty of being together in a place like this. It was a reminder of why we had made this journey and what we hoped to give our family.

Discovering More ​

The shoreline wasn't just a stretch of sand and water; it was a whole new world to explore. We found small shells scattered along the beach, and the boys eagerly collected them, comparing their favorites. A few brave seagulls hovered nearby, hoping to snag a bite of our snacks. The sun warmed our backs as we walked along the shore, talking about everything and nothing.

At one point, we sat down as a family, letting the waves lap at our feet. The water was chilly but refreshing, a stark contrast to the warmth of the sun. It felt like a moment suspended in time, one we'd replay in our minds for years to come.

Reflections ​

That day at Rye was about more than just seeing the ocean. It was about discovery, freedom, and the simple joy of being together.

The ocean had a way of putting things into perspective, its vastness making our worries feel smaller and our hopes bigger. We felt humbled and energized all at once.

As we packed up to leave, the boys reluctantly said goodbye to the waves, already asking when we could return. The drive home was quieter, filled with the kind of tired happiness that comes from a day well spent. The kids fell asleep before we even reached the city limits, their sandy shoes kicked off and their cheeks pink from the sun.

Rye wasn't just a destination; it was a memory in the making. A moment where our family's story intertwined with the endless horizon of the ocean, marking the beginning of many more adventures to come. It was a reminder that sometimes, the simplest trips are the ones that leave the biggest impressions.