Back in December of 2016, I called and spoke with Lisa about my entire family’s plan to bring our parents to Ocean’s Reach in July of 2017 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. My siblings and I had been planning for over a year to surprise them with this trip (all expenses paid) in honor of this amazing milestone. As I spoke with Lisa, I explained we had always come to Ocean’s Reach from the time I was very young. It was our favorite vacation destination and would provide the perfect location to celebrate mom and dad. I appreciated her excitement and enthusiasm as I carried on about how much Ocean’s Reach and Sanibel meant to my family. Our vacations there have truly been a cornerstone for the majority of our lives.
Tom and Cindy Barry first visited Sanibel sometime before 1982 and came back with their four children (Matt, Pat, Kateri and Natalie) the summer of ’82; this vacation was spent at Blind Pass. The family of six returned to Sanibel during the summer of 1984 and stayed at Ocean’s Reach for the first time. With the exception of one stay at the Sandpiper Beach Condominium sometime in the 90s, the Barry family claimed Ocean’s Reach as their vacation destination over the next 33 years. While enjoying family vacations over the last three decades, the Barrys have introduced Ocean’s Reach to family, friends and coworkers. Four generations of the family have spent time walking the beach in front of Ocean’s Reach including both of Tom and Cindy’s mothers and all five of their grandchildren. It has been a place of relaxation and rejuvenation, reflection and rehabilitation, comfort and joy, peace and above all else love and family. The memories that have been created over the past 33 years are what inspired Tom and Cindy’s children to bring them back to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
It’s our family’s favorite place and mom and dad said multiple times throughout the week how wonderful it was to have all of their kids and grandkids in one place. We had the best time the week of 7/22-7/29 making new memories on our little island paradise and are already planning to bring the whole gang back in the next year or two. Much appreciation to Ocean’s Reach and their owners for always providing warm, friendly hospitality along with exceptional service.
Top Photo:
Tom and Cindy Barry – August 26th 1967-2017
Bottom family photo, from left to right:
Kateri (Barry), Jordan and Shiloh (2) Fears; Natalie (Barry), Dan, Grace and Maggie Holmstedt; Tom and Cindy Barry; Matt, Angela, Conner and Ansley Barry; Minnie and Lowell Gossett (Matt Barry’s in-laws).
