WHERE SAND MEETS FOAM

BY DONDI VOIGT PERSYN

I’m not much of an early riser—that’s more my husband’s rhythm. But on this particular morning, for our 24-hour getaway, I made an exception. We slipped out as the sun rose, hot cup of tea in hand, the world still quiet, and beelined to the beach. With only a day to spare, we wanted to make every moment count.

The reward? A quiet, untouched shoreline, waves rolling in with a rhythmic peace, the soft, salty air filling our lungs. It was just us, the ocean, and the moment—a rare, grounding experience and stark contrast to the high production-filled world we function in daily.

With no distractions, we reconnected in a way daily life rarely allows. On the drive we reminisced about favorite memories, talked about our dreams, and simply enjoyed being together. We walked along the shore, feet sinking into cool sand, simple conversations flowing as effortlessly as the tide. Moments of drifting apart briefly as we combed the beach, then reuniting to show off the treasures we discovered. He found coral–a rare thing in this day and age to stumble upon. I found a weathered canvas sail and driftwood. We climbed the jetties, sat in the sun, wondered at the pelicans and enjoyed the salty air and sea spray.

A 24-hour getaway doesn’t have to be extravagant or far from home. Maybe it’s a night at a cozy inn, a day trip to a nearby lake, or simply sending the kids to grandma’s for the evening. The key is intention—setting aside a moment to focus on each other, to breathe, to realign. Like the sea smoothing over footprints in the sand, these brief retreats have a way of washing away stress, leaving behind something fresh and renewed.

If there’s one thing this quick escape taught me, it’s time together doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful. Just twenty-four hours can be enough to reflect on where you've been, where you're going and to think on why you fell in love in the first place.