Family Fun Times

Despite the fact that the wet heat of Florida was palpable when our plane landed at 9am, I'm glad to be back. Our trip to Ohio continued on July 4 with our family reunion. My dad's side of the family is pretty small compared to my mom's, and while there were definitely some unfamiliar faces, it was mostly a chance to catch up with people I've known my whole life.

The spread. My Aunt Kathi - who hosted - has always known how to put a table together...and that includes gluten free desserts!

Family photo!

My favorite cousin!

Steph enjoying her lunch.

There's something really liberating about being around people who knew you growing up, know where you come from, and understand or even share your idiosyncrasies.

All of us!

After the reunion we stopped by Chagrin Falls. There are so many hidden gems in Cleveland and its suburbs. 

On Saturday we met my grandpa at the Cleveland Museum of Art - Grandma left for Eveleth, Minnesota on  Friday to visit family and play the slots, so it was just him and us. I love going to museums, and I haven't gotten to go since last summer's trip to LA. The Cleveland Museum has a variety of collections, from ancient Egyptian and Medieval European artifacts to Pollocks, Picassos, and Monets.

Dali's "The Dream", one of my favorites...taken before I was reprimanded for taking photos of the art haha.

Dad enjoying the impressionist gallery.

Zach, Steph, and I took a detour to Westside Market after the museum, then grabbed some chicken salad from Corky & Lenny's for a late lunch. 

The highlight of the day was dinner. We went to Cheesecake Factory with our childhood friends and neighbors, the Sterns! We've known each other since I was three and the four Stern girls (Meredith, Jacqueline, Alexandra, and Caroline) were daily playmates for me and Steph. 

We slept at their house the night before we moved away.

Leaving Beachwood was a million times harder because it meant leaving the Sterns. Meredith was one of my bridesmaids, but I haven't seen her since my wedding four years ago!

Even when it's been years since we last saw each other, it's always like no time has passed at all.

Reunited!

Mere's fiance's family lives in Miami so we're hoping that we'll be able to see each other in the winter when they go to visit.

Overall, we had a fantastic trip. Now I'm back in the sweltering humidity of the tropics and staring down marathon training, which officially begins tomorrow. I'm a little nervous to start carving out new routes around the new neighborhood, but I'm definitely excited to get started! 

Do you have any really old childhood friendships that can just pick up where you left off?

Do you like museums? What's your favorite kind of art?

How was your 4th of July?

ABK