Point Loma.

A couple weeks ago, I had a tattoo consultation in Ocean Beach and we decided to do a little exploring while we were down that way. We ended up in Point Loma and we visited Cabrillo National Monument, the old Point Loma lighthouse, and Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

First we climbed down to the tidepools. I love these cliffs. The whole area is really beautiful.

Unfortunately it was kind of a hazy day over the harbor.

Inside the lighthouse, the rooms are all preserved, complete with some original belongings of the lighthouse keeper's family who lived in the house. The front yard is a basin for collecting rainwater. I just think it's fascinating to see how these people lived in such seclusion on the side of a cliff before paved roads, electricity, and plumbing.

It sounds odd but the cemetery was actually my favorite. It was so serene and just breathtaking. A lot of the graves and markers had little mementos and notes taped to them and reading them brought instant tears. What a peaceful place to be laid to rest. Even after Memorial Day, don't forget to remember and be grateful for the servicemen and women who fought for your freedoms!

Pride and remembrance.

Bad blogger, I know. But I finally have some time to sit down and relax and do something I'm not obligated to do. I love long weekends. I even took off Tuesday to extend my weekend. Best decision ever.

Anyway, this is perfect timing to pick up where I left off and finish blogging about our trip to the south. The reason we were in Savannah was because Matt's cousin was graduating Marine Corps bootcamp at Parris Island in South Carolina. 

  

We're so proud of you Steve!

Being there brought back so many memories. It seems silly now that we've been separated with minimal communication while Matt was in a war zone for months at a time, but at that time, bootcamp was one of the most difficult things we'd been through relationship-wise. It was by far the longest we'd ever been separated and we'd only communicated through letters, other than three phone calls, over four months (yes, Matt got stuck there an extra month because of a paperwork issue!). Over SIX years ago, I remember driving onto Parris Island with my in-laws with the biggest, most fluttery butterflies I had ever had in my entire life. And the moment I saw him, I was so overwhelmed with love and pride I could barely do anything but cry. The uniform didn't help the situation. Isn't he the most handsome 19 year old you ever saw?

Matt is lucky enough to have a job in the Marine Corps right now where he's home year-round. His decision to join the Marine Corps and his deployments to Iraq seem like a million years ago. Sometimes I forget just how much he's sacrificed for his country, but being at Parris Island reminded me just how proud I am of him and how lucky we are to be a part of something so special.

Iraq 2007


Homecoming 2008


Iraq 2009


Homecoming 2009

So this weekend, please enjoy beach time and barbecues with your families, but don't forget our servicemembers past and present, especially those who gave the greatest sacrifice for your freedom.