I love the beach. It’s well documented – because I tell everyone, I write about it, and it’s my favorite place in the universe.

I love the swimming and body surfing, the eating out at our favorite places, the shopping, the fishing, the putt-putt- all of the things that happen at the beach.

But my favorite moment this year came in one of the simplest moments. I decided to head out for ice cream, and no one wanted to go with me. Except for my five-year-old.

The best ice cream shop on the beach was about a half mile away, and as the sun began to fade, he and I set out for the shop.

With his little hand in mine, we began the walk down through the rows of houses, enjoying the silence….

Wait! Who am I kidding?

No, the walk there and back was peppered with conversation, with questions (did you know children average 225 questions a day? I’m sure he met his quota), and observations. And with the faintest bit of sun shining off of the puddles we walked past, I realized that I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

We didn’t talk about anything intense or uber serious, but we spent the time together, in relationship. And I realize that this is what God hopes for in us – a relationship, with my childlike questions and God’s expansive answers, observing the sun, and puddles, and ice cream, together.

Sometimes, the simplest things really are the best.