We met just before sunrise at Crystal Cove, the beach entirely to ourselves. After winding along bluff-top trails framed by scrub and sandstone, we picked our way down a hidden path to the shore. The morning light was cool and clear, the sky a crisp blue, and the waves rolled in softly against jagged rocks. They kicked at the surf, laughing as foam lapped their ankles, while we captured those unscripted moments of discovery. There was something quietly powerful about that stillness—no crowds, no distractions—just the two of them, the sound of the ocean, and the simple thrill of enjoying the beach together at first light.
