Travel has been important to me my whole life, although the reasons why have changed in my 46 years.
When I was younger we didn’t travel at all, as I was growing up. I knew that would change when I got older and as soon as I could, I wanted to see it all! I moved to different states, and really enjoyed learning all I could about the area I was in. This was long before the days of GPS or even google maps! I am still mystified by my early adventures because I still can’t read a paper map! But, I did it and on my own and they are some of my fondest memories of early travel.
As I aged and got married it was even more important to me because I wanted to instill my love of travel into my children. Traveling and discovering a new destination is infectious! I never wanted my to be afraid to try new things or attempt new opportunities because they were scared to one day to leave the nest. Now, I have a high school senior ready to move half a country away (to be a pilot!) I am rethinking that discovery objective...I tease, I’m so very excited for new opportunities to watch him soar. I am delighted with his own journey in the making. He's not scared to leave, he's not scared to experience his new chapter in a new state. It is a great reminder of my own beginning adventures!
It is also so important to me to take individual trips with my children. Making those one on one memories with them as individuals. They are older now and have ideas of where they'd like to visit. I love when one my kids will say to me, “Remember when....” because even though it seems they don’t always appreciate it now I know one day they will look back on our pictures and reminisce , maybe with their own kids, about 'that one time my mom made me go______ *insert destination here* It is worth the eye rolls, the early morning flights and sigh's about what's for dinner. I don't have these pictures with my own parents from my own childhood and I wish I did.
Another reason I love to travel by myself or with one of my kiddos is to prove to myself “I still got it”!! It can be intimidating to go places by yourself or with your kids (of any age!) but I fiercely love it. I am not scared to see things alone, in fact sometimes I’d prefer it! I am strong. I am independent. I can do this. It’s such a liberating feeling. I ask questions. I take the typical touristy tours. I make friends, I don’t need my husband with to read the subway map in NYC (thank you Google Maps!). I can do this! I love the look on my teen daughters face as she sees me taking control over a busy subway station getting us from point A to point B. That's right! Your uncool mom can do this!
We don’t do gifts for Christmas, we take a trip. A week alone as a family of 4. With fighting and getting lost and breathing on each other and smells and messes and a little swearing also comes the memories of new adventures. We don’t need material items, we need time. Kids grow up, they don't stay little. They are so busy with sports, clubs, friends and sleeping in. It is nice to get us all together in one room at a destination that isn't home, and take a deep breath and just relax...and explore...and savor our time as a family. Maybe it will take them 20 years to fully appreciate this time together and say thank you for those memories, but for now i'll take what I can get! These are the days. Take the trips, do the things. You can always make more money, you cannot push rewind and get back these sweetest days. The only regret you’ll have is not going!
by Kristi
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