Destin.

The day I got back from Chicago, I had to wake up early and work on some research at school, and then I ran home, showered, and packed for a weekend-long trip to Destin to celebrate Harbor's dad's 50th birthday! What a fun way to spend 11/11/11. 

I really love his family, and I've been really privileged to have gotten to spend so many fun weekends with them while Harbor and I have been dating. From spending Thanksgiving with them a year ago (arriving the same day I got back from Haiti... what a whirlwind!) to the bike race in Charlotte this fall, I've really started to feel like part of the family.  

Eric's birthday party was a surprise, complete with a room full of friends and delicious food. We laughed together, and a few people had prepared a "roast" ahead of time. Harbor started it off, and people were absolutely cracking up. I had tears rolling down my cheeks I was laughing so hard. 

Harbor's a pretty quiet guy until you get to know him, so I think a lot of people were shocked that he was so comfortable making jokes in a room full of people. He's hilarious, and that's one of the things I love most about him. He and I laugh together every single day. 

I spent a good portion of the weekend relaxing. There were eight house guests there for the weekend, so there was never any shortage of people to chat or share stories with. I got to hang out with Harbor's aunts who were in town, which was really nice. We also spent some time with Harbor's brother John and his girlfriend. They live in Jacksonville so it was nice to spend time with them. The four of us rode go karts and played mini golf together on Saturday. 

Harbor smoked us all, and I can be a sore loser if I'm not careful, so I told him if he won he needed to buy me a frozen custard. And, if I won he needed to buy me a frozen custard. (See what I did there?) 

Thanks, Harbor! haha

Destin is so picturesque. It never gets old walking along the ocean and finding treasures. Or taking really dumb photos and pretending to be a part of an awkward family photo shoot. (And yes, we did both.) 

The morning I left we went to eat at a little diner I've been dying visit. It's so cute! The Donut Hole makes all their donuts in-house, and also serves up tasty breakfast and lunch diner options. I ate a scrambled egg and a pumpkin cake donut, and Harbor got the daily special – homemade biscuits with tomato gravy! He also got a red velvet donut. We also both got mugs of hot coffee. It was divine. 

In only seven more days I'll be back in Destin for Thanksgiving with Harbor's family and friends! Yay! I can't wait. What are you planning on doing next week for Thanksgiving? 

K