We went to the boat show today, and we’re going again tomorrow. The going today part isn’t particularly big news, after all this is our 11th consecutive show but it does feel different. Part of what is different is that we’ve got our boat all but purchased, and can legitimately talk about it as if its ours. For some reason that small distinction has made today catalytic for me.

I’ll admit, I’ve been tender this week. Okay, perhaps I’ve been raw, and a little hard to be around. I can’t help it. So much of our last 10 years of dreaming, and 5 years of debt reduction, saving, planning and dreaming some more is now coming together in a chaotic maelstrom of activity. I haven’t really got a clue about half (or more) of the things that I am responsible for, and I don’t have enough hours in the day to get a clue.

So I’ve been cranking (as in cranky) through my days trying to get to the finish line and today I got a chance to get out of my head and see that we have really—depending on your perspective—already crossed the line. Sure we’ve got 3 more years (or so) before we actually cruise, but we’ve made the jump and all that’s left to do is fall.

The highlight of today came after I introduced Victoria and the kids to our new harbor master (Dianne). Dianne gave the family a really warm greeting and reassured Vick that her slip would be waiting when we got there. As we walked away I looked over and saw Vick, with a huge smile on her face, wiping a tear from her eye.

So while I still have a lot to do I now know (from my heart) that we are going to make this work. And if I had any residual doubts as we left the show, the sound of Olive yelling from the back seat “I WANT TO LIVE ON MY SAILBOAT RIGHT NOW!” would have cleared them right away.