We are finally underway, making the steady journey back home to Virginia. For the past four months, Adesso called Jacksonville, Florida, her home—a necessary sanctuary from the biting winter winds up north.
Each time we visited her, we were reminded of the unique pull of life on the water. There is a profound beauty in the coziness and simplicity of the cabin. Even when we remained tucked away at the marina, the world seemed to shift; time slows down the moment we step on deck.
Owning this boat, heck, even the decision to buy it, has been a masterclass in community and friendship. It started at the boat show, where we met a couple who quickly transitioned from strangers to dear friends. From the moment we met, their enthusiasm was infectious, and their willingness to share hard-earned knowledge gave us the confidence we needed to move forward.
We grew to trust them deeply. As the year progressed, our bond was forged through long phone calls, visits to Jacksonville, and countless text messages filled with advice and wisdom.
The culmination of this mentorship happened at the dock. After finishing our long journey from the Chesapeake Bay, we pulled into the slip next to theirs. We weren’t just met with a lines-handler; we were greeted with ebullient hugs, reminiscent of my grandmother’s greetings after years without seeing her. They cheered and celebrated the fact that we had successfully completed our very first big Adesso adventure.
A boat requires constant care—perhaps more than most things. In many ways, it mirrors the human spirit: without regular attention, it sits idly and begins to deteriorate. A vessel needs to be cleaned, the engines started, and the systems checked frequently to stay seaworthy.
While we were away, Adesso received an extraordinary amount of this essential care. Our dear friends treated our boat as if it were their own. They selflessly performed system checks, cleared drains, and managed maintenance appointments, all while keeping us updated from afar.
I am certain we will never truly know the full scope of the work they put in. Our dear friends are the type of generous souls who act out of pure kindness rather than a desire for recognition. Their stewardship of our boat was, in reality, a profound stewardship of our friendship.
When we interact with our dear friends, I feel the Savior’s love radiating through them. It is clear they truly love the Lord and live with the singular purpose of sharing His light with others. They beautifully embody the words of Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Whether they are welcoming us like family or performing quiet, selfless acts of kindness—even something as simple as sending a photo of our boat—they do so with a maturity and joy that can only come from a deep obedience to God.
We often offer prayers of thanks for the Father placing these dear friends in our lives. Their example has challenged us to reflect on how we, too, can be more selfless, loving, and warm in our own interactions. Through them, we’ve seen that true kindness is not just about the large gestures, but about the small, consistent ways we reflect God’s compassion and grace to those around us. Their lives are a testimony that good people still exist, and we have been absolutely blessed to walk this journey alongside them.
As we guide Adesso back toward the familiar waters of Virginia, we carry more than just the boat; we carry a renewed spirit, anchored by the grace and generosity our dear friends so freely shared.
Just as a vessel thrives under constant, loving care, our lives are meant to be tended with that same intentionality. I invite you to look for opportunities to be that steady light for someone else, offering quiet acts of kindness and selfless generosity that reflect the Savior’s love to a world in need of warmth.
Thank you, to our Dear Jacksonville Friends, for sharing Christ-like love with us!