I am not alone when it comes to smiling when the MOLLY gets closer. We have all been accustomed to the smiles and laughter that is associated with the MOLLY. Ever since she was taken away on July 12th, 2009 the whole surf community has rallied around the foundation that is her name. The MOLLY. It is synonymous with Hampton, the seacoast community, and love.

From the sadness of the Rowlees losing their precious 5 year old daughter to one of the most curable of all cancers, to the amazing event each year that bears her name. THE MOLLY.

The contest was hatched by her dad Buck. And with the loving and total support of his wife Meighan and little brother Kieran the MOLLY was born the year after we had her infamous paddle.



The paddle for MOLLY will always be one of those events that defy description. With over 500 people on the beach and over 300 surfers in the water that day. August 22nd, 2009 would end up being the largest gathering of surfers this area has ever witnessed.

I posted the video that Joe Carter did from that day down in the video section of the blog this week. You should check it out. Ironically, it is the same place that we are having the paddle for Rick Sav later today. Too many surfer's paddles this summer.



This year's MOLLY was another success! Buck and the crew were there in the wee hours of the day getting things set up for the early 7AM sign-ups. This year it would be the GROMS only. Just as well I suppose, the GROMS are what this event is really all about. It is the single most attended surf contest of the year.

The ESA-NNE run the event under the direction of ESA NNE director Lenny Nichols and it is always well received.



The booths that are set-up are full of trinkets and things that have MOLLY's name on them. The color PINK is everywhere. And as a casual observer who has been to every single MOLLY, there are more girls surfing in the MOLLY then any other contest.

And that my friends warrant's smiles. Big happy smiles.



This is Buck and myself earlier in the day. This man is one fireball of energy and I love him to death. The BIGGEST heart on the beach. Though I have to admit I was saddened to hear that he has recently jumped ship to the Carolina Panthers. I guess living in the Carolinas it is mandatory to be a Panther's fan.

Too bad the The Carolina Kitty kats got their asses kicked by Buck's old team the New England Patriots on Friday night. Too bad for Buck because I let him know all about it. Ha! We smoked them 30-7...ouch Buck. That has got to sting my brother.

It's all in good fun. And to see more of the fun check out the gallery I shot of the MOLLY 2014. It's all there.

The day was full of love for me and my family.

I went from the pure joy and stoke of the MOLLY to the most beautiful wedding I have been to in quite some time. My nephew Jesse (QWILL) and his bride Kristin (K) got married outdoors at Salem's Naumkeag Park in Salem, MA over looking the harbor in Beverly.

It was a beautiful setting and the wedding itself could not have been more beautiful. I hate to keep using that word "beautiful" but there really is no other word to use.



Just look at this photo I snapped after their vows.

Is this not beautiful?

Are they not the most beautiful couple?



I loved their vows. They were so unique and so sincere and honest.
Jesse's one line that really stood out was "I promise to keep surfing" How classic is that? I promise to keep surfing? Whoa. How many of you guys said that to your bride on your wedding day? Seriously. How many? I would venture to say . Not many.



They both surf. Jesse and Kristin are surfers. They surf together.

This pic is from their first dance. They could dance too. Many of you know of Jesse's talents in the music world. Jesse is incredibly talented. His music knows no boundaries. His voice, his songwriting, his creations are some of the most meaningful in the world. I have seen his talent rise from the very beginning. Like a flower that just kept growing and growing.

When he met Kristin something just sparked. She's a teacher. A talent all of her own. Together they along with Jesse's son Jaiden have formed a tight nit loving family. And now it is solidified with the actual marriage vows, and legal documents.

Jesse and K are married. We were witnesses.
Our family has grown again. Love is everywhere.

It was a gathering of all. The Fatellos. The Ciarmataros. The Baldassaris, the Rodgers...and the many loving and dear friends. We all danced. We ate. We drank. And we celebrated the day. And for a while, we could all forget the pain and suffering in the world. It was in a word...(wait for it) beautiful.

Oh come on you knew I was going to use that again.



This is me with little Jesse in 1980 at 10th Street. His dad was not around much during his formative years. So I took him under my wing. I introduced him to both music and surfing. In short, I ruined his life. (Ha...I'm kidding sort of).



This is Jesse's first time standing on a board. He has my sleeves on and is riding my old Harbour Rapier. The summer of 1983 at the Wall. He started out as a regular foot and is now a Goofy Foot. Not sure what stance K is...but it makes no difference. She surfs. Not SUPS, not boogieboards, she is a REAL surfer.

Now, how can you beat that? You can't. They were meant to be together. Of that I am 100% certain.

"Surfing Families Heals All Wounds"