I messaged Kristen the morning after getting in late. I described to her how happy I was to be sitting on the porch facing a beautiful view surrounded by a canopy of tall native trees. Spring was just around the corner and the birds were perched on their limbs, singing their glory that the cold grey winter was at its end. I sat quietly, listening to nature’s morning whispers as I held onto my piping hot coffee. As the day went on, our family awoke and we made meal after meal, played games, pool and enjoyed our paceman tournaments. We read, watched movies, hiked local trails and explored the small towns. Although not in its active season, we enjoyed the immense quiet and peace of the lake house and its surroundings.