“After we became a couple, she composed our time together. She planned days as if they were artistic events. One afternoon we went to Tybee Island for a picnic…She talked about ‘perfect moments.’ One such moment happened that afternoon; she’d been napping; I lay next to her, reading. She said, ‘I’ll always remember the sounds of the sea and of pages turning. For me they signify love.”
-S. Hubbard
It’s Valentine’s Day and we are winding through central Georgia. The landscape rises and falls like waves on a gentle ocean and when we pass through Fort Valley, rows of peach and pecan trees stretch as far as the eye can see. Thick, hand-spun milkshakes at Lane’s are always a highlight of the drive.
Next, we roll through Savannah’s shadowy, cobbled streets- captivated by its historic squares and centuries-old live oaks, dripping with Spanish moss. Antebellum and French Colonial architecture, complete with ornate lace ironwork, surround us at nearly every turn. The “sweetheart of the south” is a wildly romantic city and one day we’d love to stop and stay…but not today.
No, this day, this Valentine’s Day, we’re headed back to one of our favorite places on earth: Tybee Island.
The directions are simple from Savannah. You just take US 80 east until you reach the beach.
And once you’re there: just B R E A T H E…and notice everything.
Spend countless moments looking at the water. Study its white-capped waves and notice how each one is different from the last. Watch for patterns and chance treasures…you never know what the surf might churn up.
When I think back on this Valentine’s Day, I will always remember the sea stars.
I will always remember the low country sunset, and the fresh local shrimp.
I will always remember the (matching) books we brought, and how excited we were to just sit and read them together.
When I think back on this Valentine’s Day, I’ll always remember the sounds of the sea and of pages turning. For me, they will always signify love.
(Thank you, Mermaid Diane, for allowing us to crash at Sea Stars and Key Lime Parrot for a few days. Our “babymoon” was Wonder-full, and we can hardly wait to introduce Sweet P to “sweet Tybee” later this year! XO)
My favorite place. I hope this year I can get back there. We were dreaming of relocating to Savannah/Tybee, but now my grandbaby is due ANYTIME and our lives will take direction once he’s here and we know where our family will be living. A baby makes a big change in our plans – as you well know!!!! God bless you all.
That is absolutely beautiful! As I sit here and look out at the ocean at Hilton Head Island. I feel I have experienced the same. Thank you for making me reflect on my beautiful valentines day with my husband of 38 years.
Tybee Island is on my list but first we are making our 2nd trip to Savannah at the end of March!
Continuing to pray for Sweet P being home!
Welcome to Savannah!! You should drive out to Isle of Hope if you want to see some amazing cottages and homes. 🙂
Hi Ashley! We’re already back home now, but we do love Isle of Hope too! We even entertained moving into a fixer upper we found there about 6 years ago! 😀
A beautiful post! So looking forward to Sweet P’s arrival, I can hardly take it!
Your “baby moon”!!! That phrase brought tears to my eyes! While I was reading, I started feeling like an adoption update was coming. And even though that wasn’t a detailed update- to me it says a lot! Sweet P is coming soon! I cannot wait to see his face and learn his name! Praying for him and yall daily!
Your enthusiasm made me smile so big, Kelley! 😀
This is our year…I just know it! Thank you for your prayers…what a blessing you are!
XO
Every bit of that sounds heavenly: a relaxing, sea side escape with the man of my dreams. Sign. Me. Up. 🙂
I am so joy-filled for you & Kevin. It sounds literally like a dream come true. I can just imagine the fun drive and laughter and the conversation and the…bliss. It makes me smile just imagining what you described.
I am so grateful that we all got to come along. Thank you so much! In these cold and snowy/icy days in Manitoba, Canada, I am ever so grateful that I can read a post like this. Perhaps it’s not until you’ve lived here, with snow starting in October/November and hanging around until at least March (but usually April), you might not fully be able to appreciate a post like this. At this point people start getting that “When will it end?!” feeling. We long for something green and warm. We yearn for signs of life.
Yay to you guys for your babymoon! That’s wildly exciting. There’s only one thing “missing”; a photo of the expecting parents. 🙂 Seems to be a thing up here, that expectant parents take maternity photos – a few of the woman but also a few couple shots…a sort of this is us before our kiddo arrives. 😉
Tybee Island, eh?…
Warmest regards!
You are so lucky you live so close to all these beautiful sights. I saw Tybee Island on House Hunters once and I remember thinking boy I’d love to this place!!! It’s nice you went before the crowds!! It sounded totally romantic and carefree… So happy for you both awaiting Sweet P’s arrival… Maggie
I love Tybee Island .
I am glad that you got to spend time there before Sweet Pea arrives.
Hoping that will be soon. You’ve had to wait so long!
Blessings on you both as you wait for your little boy.
When we were awaiting the arrival of our son, each time we did something, we would smile and say “this is the last time we do this just we two”. I read this and hear “this our last trip here just we two” and my heart swells for you and my eyes swell with tears of joy. Enjoy your wonder-full moments just you two 🙂 moments of we three are so close!!!!
Layla, I don’t suppose you know the name of the fabric in the sixth photo down from the top? I just love it and would use it in my decor.
When my husband was in the Marines in the early 70s, he was stationed at Beaufort, SC. We sometimes went to Savannah for the day, and oh how I loved it! We also used to go out to Fripp Island and Hunting Island State Park. Unfortunately I’ve not made it back, and we were divorced in 1976. Strange how live changes, isn’t it?
I also am excited about the arrival of Baby P! Prayerfully…
I sure don’t, Gail. I’m sorry! :-/
Thank you for your excitement about Sweet P! We can hardly wait to see him again too!
Oh how happy we will be down by the Sea….
You introduced many of us to Tybee Island, I have goggled it a few times, just to dream…my friend went to Savannah last year and I told her ” Don’t miss Tybee Island” …she didnt get there but Lord willing one day I might.
Like everyone who commented, so beautiful your time for two, dreaming of the day two plus one will be Three…I can imagine Sweet P loving the ocean waves.
We went Cape Cod last year for our 25th…and drove around snapping photos of the houses , many with finger starfish in the window…so lovely.
I can sympathize with MaryJane in Manitoba , Canada…I am in Ottawa, having been dumped with snow, and thankful for God’s goodness to us captured in my three photo books …yes oh happy we were down by the Sea
Love the mention of Fort Valley! My Mom lives just up the road in Byron!
I could tell right away that is a Mermaid Cottage!! They are so cute!!! I love Tybee! My husband is from the Isle of Hope in the SAV. We love to go to the Tybee back river for the day. I hope you had a great trip!
Layla,
I am so excited for y’all! I love it all!!! Sweet P will love the tidal pools and the all of the little things you do as you will soon share them together! I grew up across the street from Forsyth park. Suffice it to say, I learned about the beautiful, incredible, powerful ocean because of tybee. God’s gorgeous creation and creativity brimming over on every side as the seashore fills up with treasures. Thank
you for sharing your precious heart throughout this amazing time. So much love to you! XO.
I love Lane Packing Company! Their peach and butter pecan ice creams….man. So good. I used to live 10 minutes away, and now I’m 2,000 miles. Have a great time at Tybee and Savannah! The south is a great place to be. 🙂