One of my many weekend trips home over the past few months wasn’t by Amtrak or Peter Pan bus, but rather the Metro North train from Grand Central to New Haven. It was the plan for Brian to get to New Haven around 6 PM, around the time I’d be arriving, and then driving back to Rhode Island together after a quick bite to eat.

When 6:45 PM rolled around and I was still twiddling my thumbs in the New Haven train station (I have the “10 more exits” text from Brian saved on my phone for evidence), I was not a happy camper. Hunger, exhaustion and being forced to wait around usually spell disaster for me; or more specifically, for those around me.

When, 10 (or so) exits later, Brian finally arrived to pick me up, I was undoubtedly sporting what my family lovingly calls “The Daddy Face,” named after the don’t-mistake-this-smile-on-my-face-as-me-being-amused look that my father has perfected over the years. Having 4 children will do that to a man.

Anyway, Brian apologized profusely for making me wait, and explained that, while he was running late to begin with, as he was leaving his garage in Bristol he saw the most beautiful sunset.

And he just had to stop and take photos.

This explanation did not go over well. I just didn’t get it. But being that I was hungry, exhausted and although tardy, he was my only mode of transportation home (not to mention Brian is hard to stay mad at), all was soon forgotten and we had a nice dinner in New Haven and drove back to RI.

I didn’t give any of it much further thought at all until last night, when I was driving to Brian’s house in Bristol. As I came upon the top of the hill before his house, the sun was setting over Narragansett Bay right in front of me.

I just had to stop and take photos.

So now, Brian, yes… I get it.

Your sunset was undoubtedly absolutely spectacular, too, and I know why you had to stop and capture it, leaving me waiting at the train station.

(Just don’t let it happen again.) 🙂