A TAYLOR FAMILY TRADITION BY SARA D. TAYLOR
W
hen I learned that my first Thanksgiving as a newlywed was going to be spent with my husband’s family at a hotel in Sandestin, Florida, I’ll admit that I was reluctant. While the invitation was generous, we had been married for less than four weeks, and this was yet another big change. I grew up in Southwest Virginia and had moved to Birmingham, Alabama, just days before our wedding. I was already missing my family and had my doubts about this arrangement. Who spends Thanksgiving at a hotel? And, eating a traditional turkey dinner in a restaurant? Unthinkable. But going to the beach was a timehonored Taylor family ritual. It began in 1985, when my father-in-law suggested we “escape” to the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa for 90 HILTON SANDESTIN BEACH 2022
promise of spa treatments, golf and shopping. No cooking, no cleaning, just a relaxing time spent with my husband’s wonderful family. Perfection. Since then, our families have grown to include our two daughters, my sisterin-law’s husband and their three children. On occasion, we’ve extended an invitation to my parents, my sister and her family so they, too, could experience this leisurely holiday magic. The more the merrier! Over the years, we’ve rarely missed a Thanksgiving at the Hilton Sandestin. Each Our girls and their cousins Thanksgiving, are now in their teens, but the Taylor tribe they still eagerly anticipate gobble up all our family time at the beach. Sandestin has to offer. They’re already planning on the delicious breakfast buffet at Sandcastles, “treasure hunting” in the gift shop, Starbucks lattes and ice cream from The Coffee Shop, boogie boarding in the emerald water, pool Thanksgiving. He hoped to provide for hopping and midnight swims, eating my mother-in-law a respite, as for many fresh sushi and watching football on the years, she had been hosting two large giant screens at Hadashi Sushi, fishing holiday gatherings in quick succession. in Destin, scoring Black Friday deals at Thankfully, she agreed, and this new Silver Sands Premium Outlets and, of tradition was born. course, ice skating and braving the ropes Not wanting to “make waves,” I went course at Baytowne! And, while the kids along to get along and hoped for the revel in a fun evening across the way, we best. My sweet sister-in-law encouraged adults plan on enjoying a fabulous dinner me by saying, “You’re going to love it! at Seagar’s. Trust us.” For us, the Hilton Sandestin means Well, that was 25 years ago and love good times and cherished memories. it, I did! Following that first fateful It’s a place where we can recharge Turkey Day, I called my parents from and reconnect before diving into our beautiful room. As the sun dipped the Christmas season. Last year, the into the water sending streaks of orange, pandemic spoiled our plans. But this purple and red into the sky, I confessed, year, as we go around the table sharing “The Taylors might be onto something what we’re thankful for, I can honestly here.” We had spent a cool morning say that I’m grateful to be back in this on the pristine, sugar-white beaches, special place together, making new feasted at a fabulous restaurant and memories and carrying on the Taylor capped off the evening with a night at the movies. The next day held the family tradition.
