and we'll all be okay in 2013-2014

We successfully rode out a Category 2 hurricane on the Outer Banks, including the damn eye wall. There was a party with booze, themed music, and card games. It was noisy. I prayed a lot and pressed up against Aaron and envied his ability to fall asleep quickly. The house creaked and rattled and I kept reminding myself that's normal. The worst came at like, 4am. My mom texted me at 5:45 wanting an update. By midday, the clouds had mixed out, although the ocean is still freezing and angry. Aaron stepped into it and squealed like a child.

During dinner there were toasts, to everyone. To the in-laws and future in-law (me). To the matriarch, to the kids, the cousins, the great-grandbabies. Kara stood up and thanked everyone for helping her with her kids and her high maintenance toddler and cried. Her oldest looked down from the deck and cried Hi, Mommy!

It's bedtime now, because we check out and drive home tomorrow. Unfortunately. Everyone signed the banner tonight. Aaron read the kids', and mine, and others, and criiied. We had to sit and cuddle while the dance party went on. One of the boys wrote, I wish you the best in heaven, Grandfather.

Fireworks have been going off for almost two hours without stopping, in multiple areas. It's a horizon of colorful sparks and booms, like the whole strip is excited to be alive and without significant damage. (Shingles and paint damage, mostly.)

But I'm off to fiercely scratch the bug bite on the sole of my foot and cuddle up with my beautiful fiance. I think beach patrol is breaking up most of the firework party, anyway.

It's been a good week.