What a beautiful weekend. We drove down to Baltimore early Saturday morning, and everything aligned—the weather was perfect, traffic was light, and we made it in record time. After picking up our two older children, we headed straight to the Harbor to celebrate Roy’s cousin Joan’s 70th birthday with a cruise. Two hours on the water, surrounded by family, laughter, and love. It felt good to gather—not for a funeral, but for joy. We always say we’ll do it again, and this time, I hope we mean it.

After the cruise, I got a little rest back at the hotel, then spent the evening with our daughter at a great restaurant. It’s always special to see her, but this time we were celebrating her new position. Watching her step into her next chapter—it’s a proud moment, and a reminder of how far she’s come.

Sunday morning began with breakfast and a visit to the Baltimore Museum of Art. I was deeply moved by the work of Amy Sherald. Her portraits are striking—figures rendered in grayscale skin tones, set against vivid, dreamlike backdrops. She invites us to see Black identity through a lens of dignity, imagination, and complexity. Her portrait of Michelle Obama stopped me in my tracks: poised, powerful, and full of grace. Breanna Taylor’s portrait was equally moving—a quiet, haunting reminder of a life taken too soon, yet honored with reverence. And of course, I brought a copy of the book. Something is grounding about holding the book in your hands while standing in front of the art itself.

We also explored the Cone Sisters’ collection, a treasure trove of Matisse, Picasso, and other modern masters. Their legacy as early-20th-century collectors and patrons of the arts continues to shape the museum’s identity today. We also explored the Africa and Asia Collections.

The drive home was just as beautiful. I found myself reflecting on the layers of this time in America—our history, our present, and the spaces we create to celebrate life in all its fullness. Weekends like this remind me of what matters: family, art, legacy, and the joy of being together.

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