There is something so magnificent to me about visiting your adult children and getting a glimpse into the life they are building.
Dave and I managed to squeeze in a quick visit to Palo Alto to visit some of our favorites, Elle and Carson. Our kids who are doing such good things over in that suburb of San Francisco.
Carson is smack-dab in the middle of his residency work as a doctor, and Elle is a graphic designer who has some pretty great clients. And it was just so great to immerse ourselves in their lives. Even if our visit had to be speedy-quick.
We have visited these two separately. Lucy and I had our own visit to this magical land of Palo Alto back when they first moved there. And since Dave missed that one (he was in China when we went), he was sure to make his own visit. Grace and Claire went to visit right when Claire got home from her mission, and I loved it so much because you know what? It was such a beautiful realization that squabbling sisters really can grow up to be best friends.
BUT, Dave and I had never been to visit together.
So we made it happen. For a quick 48 hours.
A Palo Alto Dish Hike
We were greeted by Carson and Elle happy-honking as they pulled up to pick us up at the airport. Of course we needed a place to drink in the sunset, so we headed to the Dish hike under the most perfectly gorgeous pink sunset.
Unexpected treat? Wild turkeys roaming around, dragging their feathers to make a scratchy sound.
Those are pretty phenomenal creatures I have to say!
And then LOOK at all this beauty!!
The trees were extra breathtaking to me. Oh I love a good tree. And look at these ones!
The sky turned more and more pink until it tinged into purple.
It happened to be International Women’s Day and I was so grateful to be with this strong woman and celebrate that I get her for my own daughter.
We had dinner at Alpine Inn, the conversations flowing. Man we love this power-couple.
The next day I got to have a good little exploration on my sunrise walk. I LOVE the little neighborhood where Elle and Carson landed.
It was so fun to meet up with old and new friends at church. This girl in the middle’s mother grew up with our family. Kind of an extra daughter, and this darling girl just happened to be visiting Elle and Carson’s ward that day with her new husband.
Loved meeting Elle and Carson’s friends who we already adored, and wish there had been time to meet more of them.
My heart was so heavy with gratitude that this is where our kids landed after so much worry with the decision and matching and all that jazz. And these (didn’t get a photo of the other friends, but they are AWESOME) are who they are surrounded by, cradling them in goodness.
This is such a good thing for a mother’s heart to realize.
Our Favorite Things in San Francisco
We basked in San Francisco that afternoon.
The Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps my favorite human creation ever made, and I can never get enough of it.
I have biked over that thing with four of my children in tow as well as with my college girlfriends.
- Bike the Golden Gate Bridge with Kids (this is day two of a three-day trip to San Francisco that we loved)
- San Francisco with my College Girlfriends
And every time I see that looming, burnt-orange structure, I am in awe.
It is a marvel.
The Painted Ladies
We made a stop at the Painted Ladies. Although I’ve been here quite a few times, Dave hadn’t, and it was a beautiful day to check them out.
Looks like everyone else and their dog had the same idea:
A Quick Drive Down Lombard Street
Of course we had to drive this puppy:
And yes, that’s as good as the picture gets, folks.
Oh how I love those steep San Francisco streets!
Wandering Palo Alto
Back to Palo Alto to walk University Avenue during golden hour. We found some delicious Japanese curry for dinner and walked home with ice cream in hand, on to Skull King and conversations.
There was a snippet of time the next morning where we got to accompany Elle to her beloved hot yoga spot at Town & Country Core Power. Then we came home and admired her ranunculus just about to pop out.
I hate the “leaving” of people I love.
I can’t stop my heart and mind from spinning to all the things I wish we would have had the opportunity to talk about. But we did have some golden hours together, wrapped together with a bow by Dave looking both those two in the eyes and reminding them the light and goodness they are shining.
And they really are. Those two amaze me.
That is how it feels to me to visit adult children who have moved away. Who are shining their light in their own new corner of the world.
It’s so much fun to watch you and Dave transition to new phases of parenting. I love that you are not afraid of “only 48 hours” but just soak in and love so much with what time you have. And the thought of a father still looking at his child and his SIL and speaking words to show his pride in them and love for them, makes the whole world seem like a brighter place. I love how you share hope and light, even when things can be dark and hard at the same time in the world. Holding onto hope is what gets us all through.
Thank you so much for this comment, Mparker! It really was such a precious 48 hours and we feel so lucky we got to go. Sending lots of love to you, as well as gratitude for your kindness!
xoxo
When we lived in MN in the early years of our marriage my parents made quite a few 24-48 hour trips to see us. They didn’t have the means to fly so would spend almost as much time driving as they did at our house but we felt SO loved and supported and I treasure those memories! Love that you are sharing that with your grown kids!
Oh I love hearing that story. We feel SO lucky that they want us and welcome us, and we love having a little window into their lives. There’s just something so special about that when you have adult kids!
XOXO
There is something that just fools your heart to the brim when you get to see your adult kids. It’s the best!!!
Love seeing you two with those two! What a precious 48 hours! Loved the gorgeous photos too! Clever “Be real” photos. You’re so good at that! Sending love to all.
If you love the Golden Gate Bridge, you would also adore the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan. It’s amazing. 🙂
Oh I’d love to go check that one out some day!!!