When Daniel and I were dating we often discussed how important traveling would be in our relationship- especially if we had children. We have made travel a priority in our relationship for a few reasons- to reconnect and have quality face time, to explore things unknown, to meet people who are not like us, and to feel small- to remember that this world is a big,big place filled with diversity. When I was a child, I only traveled with my church youth group and Daniel with his father's vocational conferences. In my single 20s, I looked for any reason to hit the road- friends in San Fransisco? I went. Chicago? I went often. New York? I went often. Boston? I went three times in one year. Roomate moved to Turkey? Yep, I went. Work trips too numerous to recall? Sign me up!
I met Daniel, a Mississippi boy, who lived in West Virginia and worked in DC- I went-with all of my bags packed. Then the move from the east coast to Colorado- where every weekend could have been a world-class vacation spot. While living in CO, we purchased a one week, every-other-year vacation rental in Breckenridge that, at the time, felt frivolous, but now that we have moved back to Mississippi, we are so glad we did. Living here "out west" changed me deeply. It taught me about genuine community. It taught me about simplicity. It taught me quietness.
Here we are with a 15-month old who makes travel a bit more challenging but rewarding. We have scheduled 10 days back in CO hugging people we love dearly in Colorado Springs and then up to Breckenridge, just us 3. Maggie has crawled every inch of this condo and marked her territory. We have emptied our suitcases and plan to rest for a solid 7 days. It is "mud season" here with the snow melting and all of the skiers gone. It is quiet, quaint and we have the pools to ourselves. I am typing this with a cup of coffee on one side and Daniel reading on the other, waiting for our daughter to wake up. We are happy. I can see it in Daniel's eyes. We love Colorado- it will always be filled with so many wonderful memories of being newlyweds, where we became parents. We love the pace here. It is slow. It is chill.
This is our first family vacation as a family of 3 and I am filled with gratitude.
