Our deepest gratitude extends to Malachi’s amazing Aunt Helen for allowing us into her home and heart for a summer.  We enjoyed many nights filled with hearty meals, peanut butter ice cream, Skip Bo games, and laughter.  Because of her, we walk away from D.C. with the fondest of memories. In addition, I have learned so many things from her about entertaining and cooking…because she is a pro at both! I admire her and am so happy I had the chance to spend a summer in her presence. On our last night with her, we went to dinner at T.H.A.I in Shirlington for some spicy food and Thai beer. The night’s weather was perfect, just like Helen and Malachi’s “Panang Perfect” dishes. We will undoubtedly miss the hot summer air, the patriotism of the flags at all angles of the Monuments, the neverending options of things to do, the hustle and bustle of the big city, and the wonderful people that made up what was OUR Summer of 09′…a summer that we can lock in our hearts as one of the best.

 In ten hours, we will be on the road, back to our home state of Indiana where so many of our friends and family await our arrival. We are looking forward to seeing them with every ounce of our beings, yet know that much uncertainty still lies ahead for the both of us. Malachi’s career may take us 200 or 2,000 miles away from those we love as soon as next year, but there is no use in worrying about the unknown because we know that a little bit of technology and a little more motivation will bring us all together again. One’s quality of life is not about riches, possessions, or accumulating the “next best thing”, but instead the experiences, the travels, the laughter, and the relationships that we gather along the way.  It can now be said that our lives have been enriched by all we gathered the past few months. We leave hesitant… yet hopeful. We know great things are still on the horizon.

The Three of Us - Summer 09'

Makayla and Anthony. Keynote Speakers at the Luncheon.

Melissa and Beau. Love them!

Kristin and Alisha

Melissa and Malachi. She is a 2nd year law student from NY.

Beau, Malachi, and Kristin

Malachi and Alisha.

Beau, Malachi, and Scott

John Pistole -Deputy Director of the FBI

FBI Honors Interns (L to R): Beau, Ross, Brooke, Mike, and Malachi.

Malachi had his farewell luncheon today for the Honors Interns at the Marriott. He had the chance to take some photos with a few of the other interns that he developed great friendships with over the summer. All the people in the above pictures were part of our summer lives out here in D.C., and hopefully we can maintain contact with them. They are all great people who are also bound for successful and bright futures. They come from schools all across the nation including Kansas State, Yale, Georgetown, Cornell, Hawaii, Hofstra, North Carolina, and Ohio State. Several of them are even in law school Malachi was definitely in good company this summer at the FBI!

Fado’s Irish Pub for Happy Hour

Us at the last Happy Hour of the summer. So sad!

Washington Monument at night!

Lovely picture of the World War II Memorial and Washington Monument at night!

Last night, we went to Happy Hour for the last time with a few of the interns. We went to Fado’s Irish Pub in Chinatown to meet Aaron, Beau, Melissa, and Phyllis who were some of the friends Malachi met this summer. We had a great time chatting and drinking in DC for the last time. Malachi and I then separated from the group and walked to the monuments to see them lit-up at night. The monuments are gorgeous, and we will miss D.C. so much!

Coconut Bread

2 1/2 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup granulated sugar

2 cups shredded coconut

2 large eggs

1 1/4 cups milk

1 tsp. vanilla

 1/3 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. In large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in sugar and coconut. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add to dry mixture until just combined. Add melted butter. Pour into pan and bake for 60 minutes to a golden brown or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Saturday was the anniversary of our first date in Bloomington, Indiana six years ago. We celebrate it as our anniversary, even though we weren’t officially a couple for a bit longer. It was really the night our relationship started, and we are so thankful! The traffic to VA Beach attempted to ruin our bright moods due to “stop and go” cars lined up for nearly 100 miles, but it was no match for our energy upon arriving to the beach at noon. We went immediately to Doc Taylors  bar & restaurant for banana pancakes and cheap Mimosas. Six fizzy champagne and orange juice beverages later…we had completely forgotten the stressful drive we had just endured.

Happy as a clam on the banks of Virginia (with Mimosa in hand)

Three Mimosas and three banana pancakes later, a smiling face!

Life is rough out here.

Toes in the sand

After a glorious day at the beach, we went back to our hotel to get ready for the evening. We booked the Founders Inn and Spa off Priceline and again got an excellent deal. Our hotel was beautiful!! We headed out to the pool after the beach for some swimming and water-sliding. Yes, we were the only “adults” on the premises that actually went down the waterslide, and it was a blast. We waited until the kids cleared out and made our way up the stairs. We both picked up so much speedthat we plunged into the pool with alarming force. My ears and nose were not too pleased with me! Not sure it was made for people over 100lbs, but it was fun nonetheless. We then got ready for dinner at a restaurant called Tautogs back near the beach. We enjoyed sandwiches and crab dip before taking a barefoot stroll down the boardwalk and by the ocean. We washed the sand off our feet in the little baths on the corner and called it a night…an Anniversary we will never forget.

Our cute hotel room that reminded me of a country cottage

The SWANS in the lake on our hotel property.

Hah. Apparently some guest has been injured by a swan. That must've made for an interesting vacation tale.

The giant outdoor pool and waterslide at our hotel. Anyone still have doubts about the benefits of using Priceline?

Our lovely hotel, the Founders Inn.

Note the Steeler sign in this restaurant. VA Beach was full of Steeler fans!

On Sunday, we walked around the hotel property to take some pictures before making our way back to the beach. The weather was so windy that it was difficult to enjoy laying on the sand. After an hour, we decided to forego the beach and get softserve ice cream twists. Malachi had banana strawberry, and I had mint and chocolate. The calories were worth it, trust me! We mistakenly believed that traffic should be a breeze on our return trip because it was Sunday, but we underestimated the chaos of Virginia traffic patterns. To avoid a lengthy dissertation about the absurdity of the traffic the entire way home, I’ll just leave you with a smile instead. Happy 6 Year Anniversary to us!

Brandon and I at The Black Squirrel, where he brilliantly found the 9% beer on the menu.

Malachi and Brandon

Malachi attempting to carry me for some unknown reason. Awkward.

Because of those margaritas and some special 9% alcohol beer, I had a pretty awful hangover on Sunday for our trip to Baltimore. Note: This is why you will find me in ZERO pictures from that trip. I would have worn a scowl in each one, not by choice but simply because I was physically unable to smile (until 6pm when we found some delicious crab cakes). We walked around the Inner Harbor, saw Camden Yards where the Orioles play, strolled through Little Italy with its plethora of Italian cafes/restaurants,  ran for shelter from a sudden storm, witnessed a lovely rainbow over the city, and feasted on Maryland’s famous crab at Mo’s Crab and Pasta Factory. The day was salvaged afterall, and at least one of us won’t be drinking heavily again for awhile….;0)

Walking to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD.

A really neat Fudge Shop where the employees sang fun songs as they made the fudge.

Baltimore Harbor

Full of seafood restaurants, museums, boats, stores, and FUN!

See the rainbow? Ironically this is just about when my hangover finally subsided

Mo's Crab and Pasta Factory where the crabcakes were giant and worth every penny! Delicious!