A few days ago, I returned home from an amazing trip to my favorite place in the world – the Oregon coast. Why does that area hold such a special place in my heart? Is it the beauty and vastness of the ocean? Maybe, at least in part. Is it the peace and relaxation that comes with staring into the waters and hearing the waves crash onto the shore? Perhaps. But really, what makes the coast so special is the people who travel there to enjoy it with me – my wife and three children. These are the things dreams are made of for this husband and father: our kids’ excitement for the upcoming trip, the quality time we spend together (that seems so hard to do in “real life”), and the lasting memories we make just by hanging out and walking on the beach. I’m so thankful to the Sunrise elders for allowing us to get away and for their understanding of the high priority we should all place on our families.