One year.

A year ago today… looking quite like a clown car circus show… three confused and car sick dogs, one human on the verge of a nervous break down, and one very pissed off cat stumbled out of a Subaru Forester and into a new life.

Here are some things the year has shown me:

I love that the ocean shifts its sand daily. Like a clever magician hiding and revealing different gifts and ghosts with each tide.

I love that I thought by moving here the lines in the corners of my eyes would soften but they have actually gotten deeper because of the salty winds and sun.

I love that I have solitude but never feel alone. Strangers here are fast friends and will always stop and have a hearty conversation with you.

I love when the air carries the scent of the sea and mixes with the earthy marsh grass, vacationer laughter, Coppertone and campfire smoke.

I love that my 94 year old neighbor is teaching me how to identify all the birds that visit the outer banks.

I love that my lips continually taste of sea water.

I love that there are so many stars in the sky my eyes have trouble focusing.

I love that just about everyone local is from somewhere else and there is always a story on how they arrived by the sea.

I love that the blend of warm sunshine and cold north winds are so refreshing.

Here are some truths:

Life still happens, regardless of the landscape. Your shadows follow you wherever you call home. There is always a sharp object that will temper your joy. Your heart will be broken and broken again. But you will be ok. This is the dance. It’s a beautiful messy thing, this business of being alive.