Summer is here and that means vacation time!  My fiancé, Sean, and I were way overdo for a vacation.  Not only has he been working extremely long hours, but we had never traveled together.  It's true, we've been together almost 2 years and through all of our travels have never actually flown together.  So, we were both very excited to get away and create some memories together!

Our trip began in New York, where we caught up with friends and family.  I was even lucky enough to meet up with a group of people from my alma mater, The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.  I was very excited to learn that my former drawing professor was going to be there at the same time.  We hadn't seen each other since I moved to Los Angeles three years ago so it was great to catch up and learn what's new at the university.  

From New York our travels took us on a long train ride to Long Island where we were attending a wedding.  The wedding was set at a barn in a quaint part of the Island near Oyster Bay.  The day began muggy and extremely hot!  Of course the sky decided to open up right as the ceremony began, but the guests stayed calm and sat through the short ceremony as the rain began to come down.  As the ceremony ended and the guest made their way to the barn the sun appeared and the party began.  

After the wedding I took my first ferry ride from Port Jeff to Bridgeport.  It was great to see the sound and sample some seafood, but we were both eager to see Sean's family.  The next week was spent eating everything Connecticut had to offer and spending the balmy afternoons and evenings at their cabin on the lake.  At times we'd make a mad dash inside as the rain would once again begin to pour.  

One of the best nights of our trip was karaoke at the neighborhood bar.  About 12 family members came out to sing and dance.  Song selections included my usual, "Just a Girl" by No Doubt, "Wannabe" by the Spicegirls, and of course "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen which I belted out with Sean's brothers.  Luckily, this nights has little documentation ;)

Finally, the rain followed us to Tampa, Florida.  Here we celebrated Sean's birthday at the Hard Rock Casino, and ended the celebration at the beach in Clearwater.  After two weeks of non stop rain Mother Nature finally let up so we could enjoy the last 3 days hanging out at the beach and by the pool.  

This trip was one of the best getaways I've had in a long time!  We spent time with family, saw so many friends, and got to spend some quality time together.  I had never been gone this long away from home and I'm very fortunate to have the ability to do so.  I came back refreshed and eager to back to work.  Perhaps 2 week vacations should be the norm, don't you think?