We were attracted to each other for many reasons; one of them being, we knew we wanted to explore the world.π
So… one year after we got married, we rented a rather large U-haul π and headed out to Los Angeles with 2 cars on tow!!
Fast forward to today (six years later), and we’re leaving L.A., in a rented van and my little Audi, unsure of our plans, but very optimistic of our future! π€©

FIRST STOP ON THE SABBATICAL: Catching up with family and heading back to our hometowns!
It’s one thing to visit your family during the πholidays; it’s typically hectic and splitting the time between your in-laws never seems fair. It’s a whole other experience to have an extended stay; to immerse yourself back into the culture that is your family.Β π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦
When you’ve been gone for 6 years and traveled like we have, you grow up a lot, both mentally and spiritually. π§
You learn so much about other cultures in the world π and you want to share this knowledge with your family.
This can be both refreshing and frustrating, because you have to get used to being around each other constantly again! π³ You need to be patient and try to understand each other’s perspectives; you also have to come to terms with the things that will never change! π€
The best part of it all, is that you also get to spend magical moments with them, moments that can only be had while you’re just “hanging out.” π
Impromptu sleep-overs and photo shoots, Thai cooking class, pottery, painting, hiking, walking the pups together;π€Β cheering your niece on during her first swim class, while wearing Minnie Mouse ears (πΉthat was a dare!), and then consoling her in the locker room when she realizes, it’s just not for her.
Taking a yoga class for beginners and then catching your nephew chanting a mantra while he takes a bath using essential oils. Or this…. just this…. π
It’s the little things that amount to the moments we remember as adults…
Every time we went back to L.A. after visiting our families, Michael and I would look at each other and say: I think we’re missing out, the kids have grown up sooo much… It truly made our β€οΈ hearts sad. π
So taking this time with them is very special for us, it’s giving us the insight into a part of their childhood that we’ll cherish forever.Β π They may not be traveling all over the world with us, but they’re getting to see new perspectives, through our stories, our pictures and hopefully… vicariously through our experiences.