There’s something incredibly grounding about watching the sun sink slowly into the ocean, especially when you’re surrounded by your favorite people. Our little escape to Anna Maria Island — specifically Holmes Beach — turned out to be one of those sweet spots in time that you want to bottle up and keep forever.
We didn’t plan anything fancy. No five-star hotels or over-the-top dinners. Just flip-flops, comfy clothes, and sunscreen. The kind of vacation where your hair smells like saltwater, your shoulders are kissed by the sun, and time feels like it stretches just for you. The moment we spotted the bright welcome sign at Holmes Beach, we knew we had to take a photo. It felt like a rite of passage — like the island was officially saying, “You made it. Now breathe.”
The girls were giddy. We had just finished a day filled with sandcastles, sea shells, and spontaneous dips in the waves. I couldn’t stop smiling watching them laugh — the kind of carefree laughter that only happens when you're disconnected from everything else. No school, no work, no rush.
Evenings were our favorite. We’d walk barefoot to grab ice cream and watch the pastel sky melt into the water. One night, we sat on the porch listening to old songs, everyone singing off-key but without a care. It’s funny how quickly you forget the stress of everyday life when you're watching dolphins play in the distance or feeling the warm breeze on your skin.
This trip wasn’t about checking things off a list. It was about reconnecting. With nature. With each other. And maybe, a little bit, with ourselves.
If there’s one thing I’ll carry home from Anna Maria Island, it’s this: happiness doesn’t always need a plan. Sometimes, it’s waiting quietly for you — in the waves, in the breeze, or under a sign that simply says “Welcome.”
