Where Did Isla's Name Come From?
Family Ties & Childhood
In 2014, we took a family trip to Scotland. I had never been the UK before, but Elizabeth spent her formative years in England and she has always had a deep connection with the culture and landscapes here. Her great-grandmother immigrated from Scotland to the US, and her grandmother was deeply passionate about maintaining the connection to her Scottish heritage.
For me, personally, I just love the landscapes and ancient history woven throughout Scotland. I do have my own family ties to Scotland - more so to England and Ireland - but ever since we took our trip there in 2014, it’s a place that I’ve always dreamed about going back to.
December, 2014
I remember feeling a deep connection with my childhood while we were there for that brief few days. Despite having an obsession with castles and all things medieval as a kid, I felt like something was rekindled in me as we drove through some of the most breathtaking landscapes anyone could ever experience. It’s hard to explain, but I felt reconnected in a lot of ways.
December, 2014 - Elizabeth’s Primary School
December, 2014 - Glencoe, Scotland
Looking back now, I see that Elizabeth wasn’t just showing me around the places she experienced when she was a child. She was reconnecting with her past.
We both knew that we wanted to take a trip there again together one day.
December, 2014 - Glencoe, Scotland
December 2014 - Augill Castle, England
So, where did Isla’s name come from?
By now you’ve probably guessed it… Scotland!
When we found out we were pregnant with a baby girl, Elizabeth had already envisioned the perfect name for her. It was based on the island of Islay (pronounced "Eye-la") - one of many off the coast of Scotland. Coincidentally, she was born on Galveston Island, Texas! It was perfect.
We had talked about celebrating Isla’s first birthday in Scotland and finally getting to visit the place where her name derives from.
Our vision of revisiting Scotland changed in so many ways since 2014, but we realized that we didn’t want to let that dream fade away. Even though our last 2 years has been an absolute rollercoaster filled with our lowest lows, and highest highs… we decided it was our time to go back and make some new life-long memories.
We spent Christmas 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Lifelong memories were made with Isla's Nana, her Mommy and Daddy, and her extended family. We will always cherish these memories and look forward to the day that we can go back to visit again!
— Jon
Please enjoy these photos I took during our time in Edinburgh. Click on each one to read more!
December, 2021 - John Knox House on High Street
December, 2021 - Overlooking Edinburgh from Castle Hill
December, 2021 - Christmas Eve in Edinburgh
December, 2021 - St. Giles Cathedral
December, 2021 - St. John’s Church Redevelopment
December, 2021 - The Parish Church of St. Cuthbert Kirkyard looking toward Edinburgh Castle
December. 2021 - Holyrood Abbey Ruins
December, 2021 - Bedlam Theatre
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I hope that these songs shine a little bit of light on your day today. Know that you’re not alone in these hard times, and it’s okay to “get it out” in any way that you can. Music is such a great escape, but it’s also one of the few forms of art that can put words to feelings that are hard to describe.