A Family That Plays Together, Stays Together,

Yesterday it was clear to me that a family that plays together, stays together as multiple family members met at one of the Northeast's most beautiful beaches in Truro, Massachusetts. Following our childhood tradition of packing lunches, gathering the beach blankets, umbrellas, and chairs, and lugging surfboards, boogies boards, skim boards and other beach toys to the sandy, dune covered shores, we met in the early morning.

Throughout the day various family members initiated play: riding the waves, boogie boarding, swimming, paddle boarding, surfing, volleyball, sandcastle making, beach runs, and more. Memories of beach days past filled me. We grew up vacationing on these same National Seashore beaches, and like families all over the world, we built this tradition of beach play, a tradition we enjoyed with our children yesterday.

So today as I think back to all the wonderful snapshots of a playful day at the beach, I'm reminded that play is an important part of family life. In a sense, play is a big part of what keeps families coming back together years after the childhood days of growing up in the same house.

A family that plays together, stays together.