Posted on December 4th, 2024

As I sit here, looking out over the rugged coastline from my Mother’s home up on top of the Skyline in my beautiful hometown Monterey, I can't help but feel both gratitude and a bit of longing. This Thanksgiving weekend was all about the beauty of California’s central coast and being out of the desert and into that ocean breeze air, but it felt incomplete without the laughter of my boys nearby. One of the downsides of being divorced is that some Holidays are spent without me, due to co-parenting. Being in such a beautiful place without them to share it with made me realize just how much their presence fills up a space — both physically and emotionally. Still, I’m grateful for the peaceful moments and new memories I was able to make, especially in the company of close family and friends.

I love going down memory lane whenever I visit home and Monterey County is known for its wine and I had to visit the quintessential Folktale Winery located in the storybook town of Carmel. It was a place I'd worked at before Folktale Winery purchased it, and it certainly lived up to the hype. I was treated to a lovely wine tasting, with each sip more delightful than the last. The wines were rich and complex, with a sense of place that mirrored the landscape around us. The staff there were warm and knowledgeable, making the experience feel intimate and personalized. I had the chance to take a tour of the vineyards, which were stunning — sprawling green fields lined with rows of grapevines, stretching out under the soft golden light of the late afternoon. It felt like stepping into a painting, and as much as I wanted to savor the moment, I couldn’t help but think of how much my boys would have enjoyed the beauty and nature. They aren’t old enough now to appreciate a good glass of wine, but I found myself wishing they could have been there to explore it with me.

After the winery, we headed to Spanish Bay for one of the most unforgettable parts of the trip — the bagpiper. Every evening, as the sun sets and the chill of the evening starts to settle in, the bagpiper walks along the iconic golf course, playing his hauntingly beautiful tunes. It’s a tradition here, one that I’ve experienced many times, but it never gets old and I make it a point to go every time I visit my hometown. As we listened, the notes seemed to echo across the open sky, perfectly complementing the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. There was something so serene and poignant about the moment — the bagpiper, the salty air, and the fading light. It would have been the perfect moment to share with my boys. Maybe next year we can all come together to experience it as a family.

The rest of the weekend was filled with quiet walks through the charming streets of Carmel, and simple moments of reflection. I found myself thinking of how lucky I am to have these little getaways, but also how important it is to be present with the ones I love. I missed my boys more than I expected, but I’m already looking forward to the next adventure we’ll have together. Whether it’s a weekend getaway like this or just some time spent at home, they always make the experience that much richer.

This Thanksgiving, even though I was away, I felt a deep sense of gratitude — for the beauty of the world, for the quiet moments, and time spent with family and friends but most of all, for my boys, who make my life brighter in ways I could never fully describe. I can’t wait to share the next holiday with them, but for now, this peaceful weekend in Monterey and Carmel will be a cherished memory to look back on.

Until next time, Monterey... and my boys.