Picture-Perfect

This past weekend, Brandon and the kids planned one of the best Mother’s Day surprises—a short hike up to one of the most iconic overlooks for an evening sunset along with an entire gourmet picnic. All things I love!

We made the short one-third mile hike from the small parking lot to the summit of the mountain. All the while Brandon and the kids carried a large gift bag with the gift they all thoughtfully picked out, they carried a small ice chest backpack filled with all my favorite snacks and goodies, and a picnic tote with all the other essentials.

We made it to the summit and they all worked together to lay out this absolutely picture-perfect picnic. My heart was full.

The rest of the story starts about 30 minutes earlier and ends much, much later.

To plan this unforgettable Mother’s Day picnic, Brandon did all of his research when it comes to this picture-perfect spot offering 360 degree views. He knew the parking lot had only eleven spaces, so he knew we had to arrive in plenty of time to get one. And we did, the last one available.

What he didn’t know was said parking lot is about eight miles up a winding one-lane gravel road. Emphasis on up. Emphasis on my sweaty palms all the way up. But I didn’t panic.

We parked, made the short hike up to the summit, they set up the picnic, and we all tried to pretend it didn’t bother us that it was at least 20 degrees colder up there and very windy. Only two of us had jackets.

We had our picnic, enjoyed the views, then all agreed it was not worth waiting until sunset in the cold wind. We packed up, and made the short hike back to our car.

That’s when the real fun started. Our tire sensor let us know one of our tires was low—like really low—like we could literally hear the air seeping out.

We were nearing dark, there were only ten other cars out there with us, and we were eight miles up a winding one-lane gravel road. I got a little nervous about being in a National Forest all alone and after dark, but I didn’t panic.

Before you know it, everyone is pitching in—we got the spare, took out the jack, and we got to work. Brandon was in the lead while our oldest son took over some of the heavy lifting. The older girls held cell phone flashlights and kept the younger kids occupied.

Just when it seemed like we were going to be out of there before dark, the car rolled off the jack!

We all thought it was going to roll right down the hill in front of it. We stood there looking at our car parked in an uneven gravel lot, perched on a flat tire already partially removed. It was dark and most other cars had left.

This time, I might have panicked.

Another hiker walked by, offered to help, and suggested we place a large rock under the front tire (note to self, when in an uneven gravel lot, this is very helpful). From there, we were able to finish jacking up the car and changing the tire.

We repacked everything, climbed back into the car, and began the eight mile drive back down the one-lane gravel road on our small spare tire.

We nervously counted down each mile all the way back to the highway.

Finally, safely back home, I was more grateful than ever and I could not have been more proud to be a part of this family. Seeing all of our kids, keeping their cool, taking care of the situation and taking care of each other is probably one of the most beautiful sights.

Mother's Day, Father’s Day, a random Tuesday, it doesn’t matter, I think this is what parenting and family is all about—taking care of each other however and whenever.

The truth is, we can and should plan our version of picture-perfect, and we should also look for the goodness in everything that comes right before and right after it.

This was a memorable day for sure in all the best ways!