She had woken up at 4:00 a.m. and crept downstairs to brew a pot of tea. She took her warm mug out to the beach with her, taking comfort in the fact that Renee’s kitchen light was also already on for the day. She must not have been the only one who couldn’t sleep last night.

Renee was standing in front of the window above her sink, her red hair striking against the periwinkle blue of her robe. Sadie knew she was filling her own teakettle, but wondered what Renee was feeling and thinking.

Was she as excited as Sadie was? Was she as nervous, overwhelmed? Was she this astonishingly happy?

Sadie had taken a seat on the beach, on the edge of the surf, and watched the sun rise.

I want to remember these colors, the pink, orange, and yellow. I want to remember the salty smell, the gentle breeze that sent a chill down my bare legs. I want to remember how wonderful this warm cup of tea felt in my hands, how soft the sand felt between my toes. How perfectly content I felt in this moment.

Not only did Sadie want to remember these details for herself, but she also wanted to tell them to her children someday. She wanted them to know every element of this day, how it felt to have everything come together and create something so amazing, so awesome.

Now, nearly six hours later, Renee and Sadie stood at the front of the pie shop, beaming as cameras flashed and their friends, family, and neighbors applauded. They were here, they’d made it. Not even a hurricane had been able to destroy this dream of theirs.

“How are you feeling?” Sadie whispered, smoothing her light blue dress. She’d paired the J. Crew find with a smart, navy blazer and red kitten heels. “Can you tell I’m sweating? Please say no.”

“Stunned. This feels surreal,” said Renee. “And no, I swear I can’t tell you’re sweating.”

Practically the entire town had showed up for Hester’s grand opening, every citizen wanting to cheer on Renee and Sadie. “I didn’t bake enough pies,” Renee murmured in a panic.

Sadie grinned. “Just more reason for everyone to visit in the many days to come.”

She spotted Ethan, Lincoln, Annette, and her parents by the stairs. With her mother-in-law and Melissa leading the charge, they were edging their way up to the very front.

“Is she always so bossy?” Her mother had whispered this morning, when Annette chastised her for cutting Lincoln’s strawberries into halves rather than his preferred quarters. “I didn’t realize there was a wrong way to cut fruit.”

“Always,” Sadie said with a grin. “But you’ll grow to love it. I promise.”