Dear Van,

Your life will be filled with many firsts: first job, first love, first day at school. Last Thursday was your first trip to the beach. You were 10 days old. You spent most of the time sleeping and eating, per usual. Your Papa and brother spent the day collecting rocks and digging holes. Before I know it, you too will be checking out the ladies, eating sand, and discovering the fun that is your Papa.

So Thursday was the first of what I hope become many trips to the beach. I hope you come to love this place as much as I do. I hope the smell of sunscreen becomes nostalgic and I hope sand is found on the floor of your car on a regular basis. I hope you come to value the freedom in going barefoot and I hope the suns rays treat you warmly.

Love,

Mama