Ever since I was a little girl with pig tails, I have enjoyed the company of my parents. I was never embarrassed by them as a teenager. In fact I choose to spend time with them on the weekends, instead of meeting my girlfriends at the mall. And to this day, I still find time to head down to their Long Beach Cottage for a little R & R.
When I moved out of the house at 18, I found myself spending time at their house when they left for vacation. When I moved back into their house at 20 I remember feeling like i was "home". When I left again to go to college at 22 I remember driving the 30 minute drive back to their house to do my laundry and eat their food. When I was 25 and lived 2 minutes from them, I ran to their house at 2am in hopes to escape a horrible marriage. When they moved 45 minutes from me to Long Beach, I pack myself and the baby up and we stay the night in their beach cottage and I always feel like i am "home" even though I have MY home in San Clemente.
There is something comforting about being in their home. I feel safe. I feel as though my real life can be put on hold while I linger just a bit longer on the porch with them during happy hour.
The other weekend I packed the baby and left for what was suppose to be a one night stay, that ended in a two night stay with two people who have blessed me more then anyone else has or ever will in this world.
To this day I choose to spend time with my family over birthday parties, girls nights out & Expensive vacations...ok wait, I totally just lied because I would take an expensive vacation if I could, but then again coming to the Beach cottage is like being at a retreat for me, so I take it when I can!
My wish for you is that you have in your life, a place you call HOME. A place you go to that makes you feel human again, that gives you time to linger a bit longer with the company of loved ones and leaves you feeling re-newed and ready for the next hurdle ahead.
XOXO~
P.S. All photos courtesy of my parents "Long Beach Cottage".
P.S.S. If I can get my booty in gear I am hoping to let you in on another secret but not until Friday, I am at the moment barried in packaging, boxes and mailing labels... and I love every minute of it!
If you ordered something from me, and you find some misc. toys in your package don't be alarmed I just have a little helper by my side at all times!
Cha cha cha!
You are a smart and lucky girl. To be aware of what you have and except what life has given you is a good thing. Your parents did their job well. Thanks for the thoughtful post.
Posted by: Sue | August 19, 2009 at 02:59 AM
How special, Tara, your relationship with your parents and their "home". I think you are one very lucky girl. And if your relationship with your parents is so wonderful, your little guy will be even more blessed with them as grandparents - they must love him to bits and pieces. p.s. did you say you had another secret...?
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | August 19, 2009 at 03:31 AM
seriously...
how can you keep from telling everyone that you are pregnant girl!
I can't wait to see how you post about it;-)
xo
Posted by: kasey | August 19, 2009 at 03:53 AM
Hello - that bedroom??? Heaven I tell ya, heaven on earth! Oh, do share more photos and perhaps some little secrets like paint colors and the like.
Now, you must tell about your secret! The poster above me says your preggers?
You are blessed to have parents that you love to that degree who return that love. Please never forget that.
Posted by: Suzann | August 19, 2009 at 05:25 AM
I love my mom, but after staying with her a few days I go insane. You are really lucky Tara. Actually blessed :)
Gorgeous bedroom and pictures!
xoxo,
rue
Posted by: rue | August 19, 2009 at 06:09 AM
How great that you have 'that' place! Fortunately for me, 'that' place is my home. Preferably my own comfy bed with memory foam topper and cozy down comforter. Second to that is my office/studio/playroom where I create and communicate with sweet blogging folks like you!
If I need to get away, there's our camper that we can take to wherever our hearts and pocketbooks lead us. In about a month it will be taking us to the mountains/lake where we'll spend a week refilling and recharging.
Blessings, Becky
Posted by: Becky G. | August 19, 2009 at 06:14 AM
i would feel at home at that cottage too. it is beautiful. i would never leave.
Posted by: Traci | August 19, 2009 at 06:28 AM
It's so wonderful to hear that your so close to your parents...it warms my heart...and as for the bedroom...hello...it's gorgeous!
Posted by: Andrea - Faded Plains | August 19, 2009 at 06:32 AM
I hope when Oliver is older he will feel about us like you feel about your parents!
Posted by: Rebekah | August 19, 2009 at 07:04 AM
What a beautiful home! That is sooo wonderful that you have that with your parents. I am a smidge jealous. I love my parents but I don't have that with them at all.
Have a great day Tara!!!
Posted by: Tricia Whisler | August 19, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Your parent's home is beautiful.
I have the same relationship with my parents. We always did stuff together and I never went though that faze where I didn't want to be with them. What a gift to have that. I hope my girls will feel the same way with my honey and I.
Posted by: Becky @ Farmgirl Paints | August 19, 2009 at 07:34 AM
LOVE THEIR HOME! I always want to hang out at my parents house as well! They live 15 min from me....and I pack my 2 kids, husband, and 2 dogs to spend the night once a month at least! we love it! i just love the smells...and company. it is a new house, so it isn't like i grew up there (we grew up in Virginia) but it still feels like home. :)
great post! maybe i will go stay at my parents house tonight. :)
Posted by: Katie | August 19, 2009 at 08:10 AM
Good morning Tara.
It's so wonderful that you have a home away from home that makes you feel so good. I have to tell you that if that bedroom was there for me to use anytime, I would have a very difficult time going home. Your little punk must love being with his grandparents in a place that makes his mommy so happy.
Have a fantastic Wednesday!
XO*Tricia
Posted by: Tricia | August 19, 2009 at 08:15 AM
I love that you have a refuge and place to be that makes you feel so safe and happy...I would like that. It's great that you have such a lovely relationship with your parents - you are very lucky (and I know you know that). What a beautiful cottage they have!!
Posted by: Jackie | August 19, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Gorgeous decorating! Tell you mom I love it! :o)
Posted by: Sara | August 19, 2009 at 09:23 AM
tara! I love it! I LOVE your relationship with your parents~ I would so love to rest in that beautiful room! Could you do me a favor? Could you let me know where they found those fishy salt and peppers? I MUST have them
love ya sweetie!
ps I KNOW!! Let's have a blog reunion at mom's house! ;)
Posted by: lissa | August 19, 2009 at 09:39 AM
Hello there - I hope you know that your blog is loved! I can COMPLETELY see why you see this as a refreshing, relaxing, renewing space to be in (especially with mom & dad!) You HAVE to show us the entire space - the images you've shared so far are lovely, lovely, lovely!
Posted by: northern cottage | August 19, 2009 at 09:41 AM
it is so wonderful that you have always had that great relationship with your folks...you are luckier than you will ever know!!
have a great day~
chas
Posted by: the wild raspberry | August 19, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Love this post, if your mom is anything like you, which i am sure that she is, i can see why you would love to be with her (and dad)...i was wondering if you won that blogging contest? you deserve to!!! your parents room is absolutely beautiful!!! I am sure that they love it when you come home, because i know that i love it when my kids come home!!!
Posted by: Diana Thompson | August 19, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Wow!!!! They did an amazing job decorating the cottage!!!!
Absolutly beautiful!
XOXO
Clara
Posted by: niceandeasyantiques | August 19, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Your retreat is beathtaking and more meaningful because it is your parents home! I pray my children will feel that way about our home.
beautiful pictures with a beautiful message how much better can it get!
xo,
LuLu
Posted by: LuLu | August 19, 2009 at 10:24 AM
I can so relate to this....I am very close w/ my parents and I too find their home my solace.
Posted by: Katie | August 19, 2009 at 11:04 AM
First and foremost, I hope my lil' crumb always wishes to come 'home' to us and enjoy being with her mama and papa through all stages of her life.
Secondly, your parents cottage is divine! Will they adopt me?
Finally, I love that you are buried in shipping boxes...this is a very good sign! Congratulations!
Posted by: Melissa | August 19, 2009 at 12:04 PM
...wishing i could jump right into one of your photos and take a nappy in that bed...
...heavenly, to say the least...
...confessing that i am copying the idea of hanging the square tins above my own bed....
...don't mind me...i'm gonna stay and linger for awhile...
Posted by: Rebecca | August 19, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I'm so happy for you that you have such a close relationship with your parents, it truly is a wonderful thing to hear! I wanted to thank you Tara for leaving such a sweet comment the other day for me. Times have been tough lately, but all of you amazing new friends are such a joy to me! And I can't believe I missed the opening of your store...I'm off to check it out! Yea!!!!
:) T
Posted by: tracey | August 19, 2009 at 08:16 PM