My first morning back in Kauai Meg & I were laying in bed together, the sun shining through the windows, the wind blowing the curtains in and sucking them back out again as we watched Westjet’s Christmas Miracle video for this year. They set out a goal to accomplish 12,000 acts of kindness in 24 hours. They crushed their goal. Every thing from playing with orphans, to food for the hungry, toys for kids, toys for rescue animals, a Christmas dinner for a family, family vacations and so much more. Teary eyed and happy we decided then that it was our mission that week leading into Christmas to spread Christmas cheer. Which may have ended in us being idiots to make people laugh all week but it sure was cheerful.
I was actually just in Kauai a month ago to photograph Lindsey & Jason’s day after session but of course I stayed for an entire week to catch up with friends. But honestly other than the day we spent photographing Lindsey & Jason the rest of the trip was pretty meh. It rained everyday and so much drama shit it was kind of exhausting. It was a full moon so that explains so much! 😉 I ended up leaving on Thanksgiving night and after a day of cooking and gathering around the table there was a mutual decision to hit up the bar before the airport. Meg & I drank more than we remember cause at some point in the night before getting on my flight we decided I needed a Kauai redo and booked me a flight back… just 2.5 weeks later. We learned of our choices the next morning when checking our emails seeing travel details. We decided to just leave it and roll with it.
This trip was full of sun and fun! We made some attempts at surfing and at hiking. We succeeded with camping Polihale beach, kind of a ritual. A new Thai restaurant opened and we made daily trips. The whole time keeping in the back of our heads to send out some holiday cheer. So each day at the beach we blasted Christmas music from the block rocker & sang along for all to hear. Including Ludacrismas. You’re welcome beachgoers of Kauai.
My favorite though was wearing the santa hats & prancing around the beach with them. Anyone who saw us smiled as we yelled MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! The trip we took to Lihue (while hungover) just for the hats was worth it. We needed them. We also discovered 2 tacos for .99 cents at Jack in the Box. Our lives will never the same.
We all know Christmas really isn’t about gifts. As someone who only had one gift under the Christmas tree (which happened to be a new electric toothbrush I bought with the money my grandma sent me, thanks grams!) I have to agree entirely it isn’t about gifts. It really is about others. Spending time with people we love. Acts of kindness. And experiences to last beyond our lifetime. These are what make us rich. And not just at Christmas time.
As we enter the new year that’s my one wish for you. That it’s filled with love, an exceptional amount of laughter, and countless happy experiences!!! And may we all find ways to brighten another’s day, every day, with acts of kindness, be them big or small.
CHEERS!
I guess I have one face I make when we do a group selfie. At least I’m consistent!
Chasing rainbows just about every damn day! Clearly we’re very good at it 😉
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