After couple of years before we got married, my husband and I took a long weekend trip to Virginia Beach. It was a random day trip even back then, but it’s a coastal city that has always been dear to me. This summer, it seemed daunting trying to land on a destination to celebrate our Anniversary. We always agree that we should have considered getting married during any other month but August. August is hot, muggy, and uncomfortable. August is peak hurricane season, and everything is booked everywhere and everyone is busy there. It’s the crunch right before summer ends and all of us are desperate to enjoy the last sliver that remains. Thirteen years ago, the last week of August was the only time that fit into our busy schedules dominated by school, work and more work — we naively didn’t plan on that being our Anniversary date for the rest of our lives. Some things you just don’t consider as a young adult so excited to get married.

For the drive, we rented a regular mid-size sedan, and upon arrival were offered a free upgrade to a convertible Mustang. Did they know we were planning a road trip? Not too a far drive from New York, we left the city at 8:30am and arrived just about fifteen minutes before check-in to our hotel right before 3:00pm. As soon as we arrived, we pretty much dropped everything and made a beeline toward the oceanfront balcony, setting our sights on the Atlantic brightly reflecting the sun toward every direction. It’s where we gravitated to the entire time we stayed. The sound of the ocean truly one of the most comforting and gratifying sounds.

On the evening of our Anniversary, after spending the day under the sun, on the beach and cruising around, we had dinner at Quemar, a Wood-Fired Mexican and Latin American Restaurant that was surprisingly close by. Everything on the menu sounded fresh and inspired. To start, we ordered a margarita flight, an elote inspired dish of grilled corn and crema, as well as the grilled carrots starter.

“Always order a grilled carrot plate when you see it,” my husband said and he was absolutely right. Grilled carrot with a cherry-raisin gastrique, arugula almond pesto and almond puree that tasted like halva. We’re insisting on making our own version at home since we haven’t stopped bringing it up. I asked for the chicken al pastor tacos, my husband the short rib burrito. For dessert we ordered the churros with both caramel rum and chocolate sauce. The perfect bite after such a lovely meal.

The next day we went on a dolphin watching tour, explored the Virginia Aquarium and went to Azar's Mediterranean Grill for lunch. Spanakopita, beef kibbi, chicken kebab and the comfort of a perfect peasant salad is always comforting but especially away from home. After spending the rest of the day exploring the shops and drinking way too much coffee, we picked up some dinner from a nearby pizzeria that had a lot going on. I wasn’t aware of the rise in pizza popularity, but as a New Yorker there were mixed feelings about that for sure.

Every night we’d go back to our room, get into comfortable clothes and step out to the balcony to listen to the waves crashing. Around midnight the moon would line up perfectly with our room, peeking in like a friendly visitor. Moonlight reflecting a path through the water so beautiful. In the morning dolphins can be seen swimming and jumping frantically in the background while people swim near the shore and sunbathe on the sand. The boardwalk is alive with tourists, cyclists, and locals trying to navigate around those tourists and cyclists. Slowly the action dissipates and by 9:00pm the beach and boardwalk have slowed down to a lull. People walking their dogs, making their way home, dates coming to a close. The ocean both a steady backdrop and center of it all.

I’ve learned to remind myself to enjoy moments like this and take them in, hold them close for as long as possible. Feeling close to the earth doesn’t have to mean the same thing to everyone, but whatever it does is worth exploring.

‘Til next time, Virginia Beach.

Virginia is for Lovers (And Memories)

Summer of Mulberry, Bettica Jugíto de Mora

Old Souls, New Pretzels, and a Whiff of History