The Allen Family Reunion

Last week was another adventure. The Allen Family Reunion involves 5 immediate families, 4 uncles, 16 grand kids, 3 great grand kids, and one Grandmary. All together we were 26 strong.

I always love going down to Destin Beach with the fam. One of the things about the Allen clan is that family is in the top 3 of priorities. No matter what, we can always count on each other. We can also count on a great week at the beach.We had boogie-boarding, ice-cream eating, hole digging, cousin hugging, sun soaking, and a whole lot of bond-strengthening.

This summer was the first time back at Destin in 3 years. Last year we had our reunion on Kiawah Island with the other half of the family. We had over 40 of us there. I will admit that it is nice to be back at the ol’ Crescant Resort. We’ve used their facilities so many times that we kinda have free reign while we’re there.

For example, instead of fixing dinner and eating in one of the families condos, we all go down to the conference room and eat together there. For a group of 26, it is really hard to get into a restaurant together. So having that room at our disposal really makes dinner a lot easier.

But we can’t have every dinner at the resort. We made our way over to the Crab Shack for some good eats. going out as a family is one of my favorite parts of these trips. Going out to dinner is like our chance to show off the family. “We’re big! We’re fun! Get used to it.” I’m reminded of what my youngest sister said after Cassie and I moved out for college. She said that she was embarrassed to go out with only 5 people. She didn’t like anyone thinking that we had a normal (small) family. It also gives us a chance to really grow our relationships. At the condo, we all sort of divide up into our respective age groups. But when we are out we are confined to 1 or 2 tables. It kind of forces us to interact with everyone.

But the real bonding happens on the sand. I always forget how much fun the beach can truly be. The younger cousins just make every single event a new adventure. And I can say from experience that being out on a sandbar is always more fun with more people.

The week was great. God has really blessed me with a beautiful example of how a family should be. We may not get along every day, but I tell you, we sure do more loving than anything else. This is the family that I pray God helps me to raise. I know that it wasn’t our love that kept us together all these years. His love is a much more effective glue.