I’m sitting on the runway at Auckland, about to return home to the USA after almost 10 weeks away.
It’s been a very special time. Octavia has loved every minute of being with her grandparents, who have showered her with love and cuddles since we arrived. When we landed; she was ok-ish at rolling on only one side; these days, she is a bonafide ambi-turner. Her ultra aggressive spin she does when put down to sleep is affectionately known as “The Pancake”.
She has also had a wonderful time with her aunts and uncles, and was lucky, like us, to see Ben and Dee get married at One Tree Point. Such a beautiful day.
On the other side of the ditch, she got to meet my side of the family, and celebrate the engagement party of Liv and Ben. As I said, a big trip!
In between all of that, we have visited Sydney for a Swedish-Australian wedding, popped down to Queenstown for Ky’s work jamboree, and been fortunate to catch up with many, many friends.
This trip wouldn’t have been possible without the help of some remarkable people. Vic and Jim, Occi’s aunt and uncle who looked after us in Melbourne, Chris and Eve who let us stay at their gorgeous Queenstown house, Deb and Johno who made our trip to Sydney a blast and for coming to Queenstown to support us, Dee and Ben for hosting us for three weeks up north and took me golfing, and Graham and Kim for looking after us, feeding us, playing endlessly (and I mean endlessly) with little girly, and far, far too many airport shuttles. Thank you all so much.
Back Stateside, our friends Matt and Emma have kindly kept our car from being Bait Carred, and for the team at Innovera for allowing me to work flexibly over the last little while. I am very fortunate to be part of a team that cares.
Finally, to the two most amazing women in my life. Octavia, thank you for not being a pest lord, particularly on the many long flights we force you onto. You’re always such a dream.
And to my wife Kylene, who carries so much of the burden, and without who none of this could have happened. The planner, the packer, the executor. This trip was wonderful, almost entirely thanks to you.
I love you always.