Drew Starkey Imagines

One Last Week Before the Chaos

Charleston, SC – June. Sun, sand, and a family who puts love (and God) above all else.

The ocean air hit different in Charleston—warm and laced with salt, with just enough breeze to keep your hair dancing around your face as you rolled down the windows of the SUV. Blake squealed from the back seat, pointing to the crashing waves in the distance.

"Daddy! I see the beach! I see the beach!"

Drew grinned and looked over at you. "Think he's excited?"

You laughed. "Just a little."

Hailey, content in her car seat beside her brother, kicked her chubby legs and cooed. She didn't understand exactly where she was headed, but she knew it was somewhere good—somewhere with sunshine, sand, and the people who made her feel safest in the world.

You reached over and laced your fingers through Drew's.

One week. One whole week of family time before he disappeared into filming. No long days on set. No scripts. No calls. Just the four of you, soaking up summer before the work whirlwind returned.

⸻

Day One: Sandcastles & Sweet Tea

You arrived at the cozy beachfront rental—a charming white cottage with a wraparound porch and seafoam green shutters. It smelled like sunscreen and ocean breeze the moment you stepped in. The sound of waves crashing was the constant background music you didn't know you needed.

Drew set down the bags and immediately walked over to the sliding doors, opening them wide to let the sea air in.

"This," he said, arms wide open, "is exactly what I needed."

Blake raced out barefoot onto the back porch, yelling, "Let's goooo!"

The afternoon was spent with sunscreen-slathered babies, sticky popsicles, and a competition over who could build the biggest sandcastle. (Blake declared himself winner, obviously.)

Drew sat in the sand with Hailey tucked under a little sun hat, holding her like she was the most precious seashell on the shore. You watched him with your heart melting—his gentle voice, the way he kissed her forehead every few minutes, the way he looked at you like he couldn't believe he got to live this life.

That evening, he grilled shrimp on the porch while you all ate dinner barefoot in swimsuits. Hailey had mashed avocado all over her cheeks. Blake fell asleep halfway through a bedtime kid Bible story, the sound of waves lulling him before you even finished the story of David and Goliath.

Drew tucked him in, whispering a prayer over him as you swayed Hailey in your arms.

⸻

Day Three: Exploring the Heart of Charleston

You spent the day walking through the cobblestone streets of downtown Charleston—past pastel-colored houses, horse-drawn carriages, and flower-filled window boxes. Blake was obsessed with the fountains, making you stop at every one, while Hailey rode content in a stroller, playing with the corner of her blanket.

You and Drew slipped into a quiet coffee shop when the kids napped in the stroller. For twenty golden minutes, you sat across from each other at a sunlit table, fingers brushing, talking about nothing and everything.

"I think I'm more nervous for this season than ever," he admitted.

"Why?" you asked, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead.

"It's the last season and...because I'll miss all of this," he said quietly. "You. The kids. Just... home."

You reached across and squeezed his hand. "We'll be waiting. And praying over every long day. You're chasing purpose, babe—not just a paycheck."

He looked at you, full of the kind of love that only deepens with time. "God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave me you."

⸻

Day Five: A Candlelit Beach Moment

The sun was setting in ribbons of orange and gold when you and Drew finally got a moment alone. His parents had driven down to visit for the evening and offered to keep the kids while you took a walk on the beach.

You walked barefoot along the shoreline, hand in hand, letting the water kiss your ankles. The sky melted into the sea, and Drew stopped to pull you close.

"I wish I could bottle this moment," he whispered.

You looked up at him. "What would you do with it?"

He smiled. "Play it back every night when I'm gone. Remind myself that no matter how far I am, this right here—us—is the center of everything."

He pulled out a tiny gold shell charm on a chain. "I got this for you. Nothing fancy. But it's to wear while I'm filming. Just so you remember... you're always with me."

You blinked back tears. "You're making it really hard to be mad about you leaving again."

He laughed softly, cupping your face. "That's the plan."

You leaned in, kissed under the moonlight, and prayed together—thanking God for the season of rest, for the laughter of your children, and for the strength to walk into the next chapter, hand in hand, heart rooted in Him.

⸻

Final Morning: Sunrise and Sentiment

On the last day, before the sun rose, you and Drew snuck out to the porch with mugs of coffee while the kids still slept. You wrapped a blanket around the two of you and watched the orange glow creep over the horizon.

"I'm gonna miss this so much," he murmured into your hair.

You looked up at him, calm and certain. "We'll make more moments like this. After filming, after chaos—we'll always come back to this."

He pressed a kiss to your forehead. "Promise?"

You smiled. "Promise."

And as the sun broke over the water and the world slowly woke up, you both knew something sacred: no matter where life took you—through the lights, the cameras, the noise of the world—your anchor was right here.

God at the center.
Each other next.
Your babies wrapped in love.
And a forever kind of peace that no camera could ever capture.