A couple of summers ago, we gathered for a family reunion.  We coordinated all the schedules to meet in Colorado for a week.  It was, of course, a bit chaotic trying to wrangle kids of all ages for activities and adventures, but that experience is one of the fondest memories of my adult life.  We explored.  We got sweaty.  We played cards.  We pulled pranks.  We prayed and sang.  We stayed up talking into the night.

We laughed and laughed and laughed.  

There’s something so special about gathering with your people somewhere outside of your normal life and routine.  When everyone is out of reach of their desk and their grocery list, there’s a sense of calm that makes space for connectedness.   Date nights, girls nights and small groups are wonderful.  They fan the flames of connectedness, no doubt.  But when there’s no cutoff time, no babysitter waiting, and no morning alarm …