“Can you believe that when they look back, our little ones might remember this as the best summer of their lives?”
– Coach Mike
And can you believe that we could possibly say something like that in the year that is 2020?
We could all write about how much this year sucked, and it did – even right now! – it still does. But with every mention of the word, “Zoom,” in 2020, I also want to remember our kids’ new favorite sayings this year, like “Send it!” or “Getting barreled!” (Warning: beach & surf theme below.)
I hesitate to say it, but these new classic phrases may not have been possible without the lockdown that we’ve basically had here in LA County since March.
Every year, we talk about how much we miss (and love) seeing our friends, and it seems like 2020 has taken away that very thing we all love the most. For the kids, whether that was at school, or through their sports & activities, the sleepovers – or just the freedom to improvise and roam, that just hasn’t been an option this year…not really. Shoot, like so many of you, we went from 5 sports teams on March 13th – to zero – a day later.
What has gotten us through . . . the beach. So grateful to have a place where the kids can get outside, get some exercise and see people – us too!
Logan has been going to the beach on his own for a couple years now, and he & his friends will ‘make a surf day happen’ on their own, whenever (um, but they still need a ride!). But he also missed-out on Junior Guards which was canceled this summer – a huge loss! When we asked Logan what he missed the most this year, his response was immediate, “Junior Guards.”
As a teenager, he and his friends are still able to connect through their phones & gaming. God help us, because we both simultaneously cringe, and then knowingly nod to each other, thankful that he’s still staying connected – even when it has to be inside. Such is this generation, and maybe they’re just a bit more equipped to adjust to what 2020 has brought onto them.
Vaughn, on the other hand, still needs an adult to help make some good times happen! So his trips to the beach have opened the door to a little surf tribe of kids & parents who happen to have the same general flow. We’re so grateful to have found this new little group to hang-out with, some old friends, some new.
It’s like we can’t get enough of it, because one kid – or even one of the adults – is always going to suggest that we maybe do a sunset pizza delivery on the sand, or maybe donuts & mimosas for Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve morning. Why not? These aren’t just “consolation” memories. These are what we’ll remember so fondly – forever – with smiles and tears in our eyes.
So if the moments in this video look like a party, it’s on purpose. We don’t want to remember the hot mess of stress, anxiety and isolation of 2020. We want to remember the little blips of good times and moments of normalcy. What’s more? We want to think about the moments that 2020 gave us that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. Crazy to say that, but it’s true.
But, having said that? We’re so ready for 2021, ready to see as many of you as possible, as soon as we can.
Here’s our annual video . . .
Love,
The Tanakas (Eric, Emily, Logan & Vaughn)