“Dear George…”

Hi G!

I tried to call you today, but it went straight to voice mail. I didn’t leave a message because I’m tired of leaving messages. I know it’s not your fault; you’re fishing your way home and working as hard and as fast as you can.

Even so, I thought I’d write you a letter so you could read it when you got to a port with Internet connection.

Eva started pre-school this week, and she just loves it. She dressed up on her first day in a brand new dress given to her by Grandma.

Uncle Ryan, pregnant Auntie Steph, and my dad all came by this past weekend to set up new locks, hang a couple of signs, and have a few laughs.

The children and I went to the police department the other day and they got shiny police badge stickers! They sat patiently in the lobby, excitedly awaiting the appearance of all the police officers that walked by.

I had to laugh as I filled out the concealed weapons form when the application asked about tattoos. My goodness. I quickly and easily described the pink flower and Chinese symbol (“healthy”) located in the middle of my lower back, but I wasn’t sure how to describe the other one.

Boat? Island? Lighthouse? Ocean? Waves? Our family’s commercial fishing vessel with miniature crew members on deck wearing orange rain gear?

I called it simply “Island and Boat on Right Hip” but I had an appreciative chuckle as I remembered how that tattoo came to exist shortly before we got married eight years ago.

Anyway, we are doing just fine. The little ones got haircuts today, and we’ve had a great week of Jazzercise. Bills are up to date, the house is clean, and the dogs are fed.

I hope that you are doing well, catching fish, and will be on your way home shortly.

We love you.

Love,

Jen, Eva, Vincent, Mandy, and Toby.