Y is for Years

For many years, a girl growing up in a small blue collar town read books as her means of travel to far away destinations. To actually travel internationally felt like a dream. Before Mark was a part of my life, I went on one cruise with my best friend and her family. We went to San Juan and the Virgin Islands. 

I'm on the left - my hair was
dark back then!

Fast forward a few years, and Mark and I flew to Nassau and stayed for a week for our honeymoon.  Those locations all felt different from the USA, but we were still pretty close to home and the Virgin Islands are US territories. A couple of years later, we flew to Hawaii . . .which isn't international travel, but it was my longest flight to date. When our kids were in middle school, Mark and I flew to St. Maarten. I assumed that was as far away as I would ever travel and it felt pretty exotic -- they even had nude and topless beaches!

My first long-haul flight didn't happen until 2016, and it was 12 hours of nerves, excitement, and wide-eyed wonder. We flew from Atlanta to Tel Aviv and I was with a group, but without Mark!! I actually did that trip twice without Mark and twice with Mark. When he wasn't with me, I was surrounded by good friends.

me on the left, Terrie, and Duane
Duane is one of Mark's best
friends and I hung out with
them a LOT!

 Now, with me at 66 and my husband at 71, we’ve decided: if not now, when?

We may not have started young, but we’re making up for lost time — one country, one memory, one beautiful view at a time. Our goal is to go somewhere new every year, if at all possible, savoring the richness of different cultures and landscapes while we can. This chapter of life is all about being intentional with our time and generous with our curiosity.

What are the things you have put off for "years" thinking that maybe some day you could/would do it? Is it travel? Is it a new car or a new house? Is it opening yourself up for new relationships? The years keep passing . . .don't let them pass you by!!