Just the Way You Are

Nothing Holding Me Back

"Smile!" Amy said to Sutton and her friends as the poses in the photo booth we set up, "Perfect!" Sutton was all smiles with friends celebrating her eighth birthday. After some pizza, cake, and swimming, the afternoon wore down and friends headed home. Sam and Amy stuck around with Hailey to help us clean up and spend time together.

"I can't believe how big she's become," I said, watching Hailey play with toys around on the living room carpet, "she's beautiful." She had black hair and blue eyes, always had a smile on her face and was growing like a weed.

"I know - she's so busy," Amy smiled, "I'm thinking of getting her into that sport program you put the kids in." We talked about it and we caught a glimpse of the time. They packed up and we got our kids ready for bed as well.

"I can't believe how busy we are starting Monday. This will be a fun summer," Hunter said, "there's a few new ones this year."

I glanced at Hunter's list, "Faster Horses, Taste of Country, Lucknow - oh, that's in Ontario. Cool." I smiled, "PS I think Sutton loved her party."

"Yeah, her friends are nice," he smiled, "how is she nine already." He laughed, thinking about where we were with her as a newborn, lost and navigating a whole new side to our lives.

"I know," I kissed his cheek, "she changed our world. Thank you again for making me a mom."

He put his phone down and turned to face me, "You were made to be a mom. You're an amazing singer - don't get me wrong, but the way you talk to, teach and guide our kids, it's beautiful to watch. And thanks to you, I'm a dad." He kissed me, bringing his hand to my jaw, holding me close. He followed with the kind of kisses that gave me butterflies; my hands explored his body, tugging on his boxers. One thing lead to another and we got tangled in the sheets. Kisses, endorphins and beating hearts.

"Sutton, come on sweetie," Hunter called from the bottom of the staircase, "this is exactly why your mom asked you to pack your bag the other day." He rolled his eyes, smirking as the boys stood at the front door.

"Sutton, come on," I poked my head in her room and she was packing up her guitar, "let me help you." I helped her buckle the case and got her downstairs. We loaded up and were excited to be starting our festival line up in Myrtle Beach.

"This place is special," I said to Sutton and the boys as we walked together to the stage, "when I was finishing school, dad flew me out here for our first vacation, and we officially started dating."

"What's dating?" Sutton asked.

"Something you're not doing for a long time," Hunter said with a cheeky smile as he handed out headphones to the kids, "Myrtle Beach is where I asked your mom to be my girlfriend. And we've been together ever since." He smiled, passing me a mic. Our sets varied from festival to festival, and we kept busy between sound checks, interviews and wrangling the kids.

"Hunter and Jenna, I'm so glad to be speaking with you both today." The radio DJ introduced herself as Campbell, and after some formal questions, she introduced a game, "We are gonna play a little word association game, so I'll say a word and I want you to tell me the first thing that comes to mind. Ready?" We nodded.

C: "bad habit"
J: "coffee"
H: "whiskey"

C: "Festival season"
J: "fun"
H: "energetic"

C: "award shows"
J: "stressful"
H: "nerve wracking"

C: "inspiration"
J: "my family"
H: "ah she stole my answer. I'll have to say family as well."

C: "Sutton."
J: "bright and compassionate"
H: "music nerd in training"

C: "Easton"
J: "introvert"
H: "soft spoken"

C: "Beckett"
J: "the baby"
H: "easy going"

"Thank you for playing along guys!" We finished our interview with a few pictures and headed off to find the kids with the band guys and Amy. Hunter and I played an hour long set for the Myrtle Beach crowd, we worked in a few new covers, or supported each other's singles instrumentally. Our time rolled on and it felt like every few days we were in another place, on another stage making music and memories.

"I am so excited to go to Lucknow." I said as we wrapped up our time at Faster Horses and headed to the only Canadian date for our line up. After Lucknow we ventured into New York before hitting the familiar stage of Summerfest. We stayed at a nearby hotel for the Milwaukee festival for eight days before trekking on to the Rock the South festival in Alabama. It was my last show before wrangling the kids home to get ready for school. Hunter had a few more gigs leading up to and over Labour day weekend.

"You all be good for mom, I want to see lots of smiles for your first day of school pictures!" He hugged and kissed each child as we prepared to fly out of Alabama to Nashville where we were greeted by Lynette and Leo.

"Sutton, are you ready for grade three? And Easton you're going into grade one!" Lynette exclaimed as she and Leo stuck around for the evening to help me get everyone back on track.

"Beckett is registered for JK," I said as we gathered in the living room to catch up, "I can't believe all three of my babies are in school."

"Wow, I remember when Sutton was in kindergarten when y'all came to visit and you were still pregnant." Leo said, his eyes beaming at the kids gathered around him. The kids shared their favourite thing about the summer with their grandparents before they headed out and I got everyone into bed.

J: got the troops down for bed. Love you xox miss you

H: I wish I could be there for their first days. Love you to the moon and back babe xox