birthday love in newport beach

this past weekend Nate-dawg and Jenna surprised me for my birthday. 

{which is next Saturday, march 9th}

they took me and Kev on a boat cruise in Newport bay. 

it was a gloriously sunny day.

we sipped mimosas 

and laughed a lot. 

we talked and toasted one another

and just let the wind take us further and further into the bay. 

at one point i just looked around me

at the beauty of the sail boats passing by,

and the paddle boarders and kayakers,

and just soaked in the peacefulness of the surroundings. 

and i almost teared up. 

for i felt such freedom, such peace. 

i felt safe in the company of these beloved people.

i felt beyond loved.

and mostly i felt thankful, because safety and freedom and peace haven't always been mine. 

and I think there is something extremely beautiful to be said about 

our loving Father making

all things new. 

as I laid my head on Kevin's shoulder,

i whispered to Abba 

a feeble thank you.

but meant it with all my heart. 

what joy there is in counting our blessings! 

happy week dear friends:) 

love Katie 

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 

Stand firm, then, and do not let 

yourselves be burdened again 

by a yoke of slavery." 

- Galatians 5:1