Just think for a moment... travel! Some people travel to another town 2 counties over and that is far enough away from home, others take a road trip or a quick flight across the USA, while some adventure-bound people climb aboard a jet to fly for hours overseas.
I traveled here and there when I was a child. I have great memories in Siesta Key, Florida of many summers with my family. One of my favorite times was when I was 5 years old. We happened to be traveling over the Labor Day holiday and my best friend, cousin Jennifer, was with us and we celebrated her birthday! We got matching rafts, bathing suits, and my mom paid for us to get our hair braided. The waves of the Gulf of Mexico swept us down the beach so much my grandma had to come look for us!
Throughout my teenage and young adult years, I went on similar trips with my family to Myrtle Beach, New York, Oklahoma, etc. In 2018, I actually left the USA and went to Cancun, Mexico with my dad; just the two of us! I had always been a daddy's girl! We had many blessings to celebrate, but the main reason, he was 1 year post heart transplant. The memories made on this trip will live forever within me.
Fast forward to today... I still travel a bit down to Florida or Tennessee with my boys, but I'm not sure overseas travel is for me. The thought of a 14-hour flight causes me a bit of anxiety! But not my son, age 16! He has become My Traveling Child!
My oldest son does not shy away from certain challenges, adventure, or education. He is currently a sophomore in high school, but also taking a college course through Ivy Tech. Even though he isn't sure what he wants to do when he grows up, I know he will go to college, create many travel opportunities, and be a positive force within this world.
My son started traveling without his parents or a family member at age 10. He applied to and was accepted to attend a STEM camp hosted in Chicago, Illinois. My mom and I drove 5 hours one way just for drop off. We knew no one on campus and no one from his school was attending. To say the least, this mom was a tad nervous; no cell phones and I only had the phone number to the camp director. However, I had no time to worry as I was taking a certification class for my previous employer. On Friday, test day for me, I rushed up to Chicago and got the biggest hug! It was hard to be away but coming back together was extremely joyous.
His most recent travel experience was to Europe, chaperoned by his school. I'm proud that my kid worked hard and paid for this 11-day adventure on his own. While in Europe he went to Italy, Austria, Germany, the Vatican City, and the Czech Republic. He was really excited to see the Roman Coliseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and learn more and visit a concentration camp in Germany.
Cade has started saving and planning his next solo adventure. Spring Break 2023 - Ireland!!
Now it's your turn. Do you like to travel?
If no, why?
If yes, where?
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