June 22, 2023

“There’s a boy.” That’s how we learned about Gavin. I had been wondering if she had started seeing someone new. She went on one date with a guy who surprised her by being 30. Usually she lets us know about potential suitors pretty early on. But once she turned 18, she decided she was grown-ish enough that Mom and Dad didn’t need to know details quite yet. Lauren knows her Momma Bear has some stalker tendencies, and wastes no time sneaking a peak at a guy’s Facebook page, and I’ll find his address online and Google Earth it shamelessly. But she wanted to keep this one closer to her chest until she was ready to let us know more. She’s a good judge of character, and Gavin is quite a character.

Many of you haven’t met Gavin yet, but you should. He’s at my house all the time; come on over and I’ll introduce you to him. You’ve been hearing about him for awhile now. He’s the lineman who helped get your power back on after the storm or after a car hits a power pole.

Gavin is a forever kind of boyfriend. Lauren has chosen well and we are thrilled to have him in Lauren’s life. He’s honest and kind and supportive and true. He settled himself into our family. Definitely a hard worker, unafraid of long hours and sweat. He was raised right, and now he and Lauren are raising my grand-Schnauzer Missy.

Gavin hails from a small town on the gulf coast of Mississippi. I think of our Pfafftown as being a small town with about 2,000 people. But Gavin’s hometown has only about 1,500. He moved here to Winston-Salem a little more than a year ago, and he is settling in. He’s already got a fave restaurant, and he’s putting down roots. Literally. Hydrangea, penstemon, Culver’s root, and ice plant. How could I not love a guy who has plants?

He’s much more land-locked here in Winston-Salem than back Home in Mississippi. Here he’s a few hours from the beach, and a little closer than that to the mountains. He says he likes it here. For his momma’s sake back Home, I wish he didn’t, but we sure do love having him with us.

He came on our beach trip this year. Until a week ago, we had only known him on dry land, and he’s a different creature near the water. He’s got a quick smile for you any old day, but his eyes sparkle brighter against the ocean waves. He brought rod and reel to the beach, and wandered out into the waves to cast his line. He speaks fluent sea dog with an angler dialect, and I’m admittedly lost listening to his expertise about all things maritime. It’s pretty clear Gavin’s grounding comes from the ocean, as he stands up straighter while breathing salt air.

Gavin wanted to spend his 21st birthday fishing with his family, so he will be right where he should be today, in a boat. One of his friends is a boat captain, so the Hawes fam will spend Thursday on the water together celebrating Gavin, hopefully soaking up some sun and catching some fish. He flies back here on Friday, and we will take him to his fave restaurant on Saturday for a belated celebration. I’m so glad he gets to be Home with his family today doing what he loves to do. Mississippi is Gavin’s Home with a capital H, and North Carolina is his home with a lower case h. Happy birthday Gavin from the Mauks and McBrides in your home away from Home. We love you.

Cool Change by Little River Band

Well, I was born in the sign of water
And it’s there that I feel my best.
The albatross and the whales, they are my brothers. It’s kind of a special feeling
When you’re out on the sea alone,
Staring at the full moon like a lover.