Coming Full Circle
Jules and I met when we worked together in a job that had become difficult (a new boss entered the scene), and some might even say abusive at times, or at the very least, emotionally heavy. Through those years, however, Jules and I carried each other through long days, difficult moments, and the shared understanding that comes from simply enduring (surviving) something together.
Back then, we were always striving for peace — searching for balance beyond the noise and pressure. Through it all, we found ways to steady each other — through humor, shared glances that said I know, and the kind of camaraderie that forms only when two people have weathered the same storm. It feels fitting now that we find ourselves traveling together again, but in a completely different way. Slower. Calmer. More intentional.
Some friendships are shaped by hardship, strengthened by time, and rewarded with moments like this — peaceful, unhurried, and full of gratitude. There’s something comforting about trading stress for stillness, deadlines for open water, and hard seasons for quiet reflection. This trip wasn’t just about where we went; it was about recognizing how far we’ve both come.
We have had years of fun together since both leaving that job — years marked by lighter days, easier laughter, and the kind of friendship that settles in rather than burns out. There’s a quiet beauty in realizing that some people remain part of your story through every chapter, no matter how many times life rearranges the scenery. This second trip around Port Townsend Bay felt especially meaningful because it was shared with that same dear friend — someone who has walked beside me through far more than miles.
Out on the water, the contrast was impossible to miss. Instead of deadlines, there was an open horizon. Instead of urgency, there was the steady rhythm of the boat moving through the bay. Instead of bracing ourselves for the next outburst, we were present — two people who had earned the right to exhale.
Some friendships are shaped by hardship, strengthened by time, and rewarded with moments like this — peaceful, unhurried, and full of gratitude.
Harbor to Harbour, we keep finding our way forward.
Jules and Susie (aboard the Frances Mae)
Years of Friendship with Jules