Stamps in My Passport

I’ve always loved to travel, in fact it was ingrained in me my whole life starting when I was just 9 months old with my first cross country trip. I learned over the years to not just travel to visit a place but to seek to fully immerse myself in the culture and live like a local wherever I go. Learning the ebs and flow of a new city, the hidden gems that only locals know, discovering treasures while exploring new cities and stumbling upon breathtaking views surrounded by nature and breathing in the scent of a city alive with a vibrancy you can see and feel. Thousands of best kept secret venues, amazing experiences and opportunities awaiting to be uncovered like buried treasure.

There is something so special about stepping foot in a new land and the anticipation that fills your soul as you embark on a journey, exploring, discovering, learning and taking in all the wonders the destination has to offer. I’ve experienced this every single time I travel to a new destination, makes no difference if I’m traipsing within the US or gallabanting on foreign soil. I am a firm believer that once the travel bug bites there’s no going back. The longing to see new places, experience other cultures, meet new friends, seeing exquisite locations and feeling the vibe and atmosphere in exciting places is invigorating and hard to grasp if you have been limited in your travel experiences. But, for those who’ve opened the doors to exploration, awakened a spark deep within their souls and grabbed hold of possibilities there is no limit to the experiences the journey might lead you to  and it’s nearly impossible to contain the joy that fills your heart when you’re asked to share about your adventures, told you’ve inspired someone to plan their own, in the middle of planning your next journey or currently living out your dream trip. The joy is infectious and contagious, something travelers know we can’t hold to ourselves and abosolutely LOVE when we find other like minded individuals to swap stories & travel inspiration with. It’s like a kismet moment when one traveler meets another and you can feel the enthusiasm, the shared excitement over each others stories, memories and a deep understanding about what they’re saying. Something that is almost unfathomable for someone who hasn’t or rarely goes outside of their hometown.

Every time I meet a fellow traveler I immediately feel a kindredness with them, and know that I could sit and talk with them for hours and hours swapping stories. Connecting with one another on this level is like uncovering a treasure trove that you never knew was waiting to be discovered. My very best friends in life are those that I’ve traveled with. While you’re out exploring & adventuring together there is a closeness, a bond that forges between you and a deep connection that develops and brings you to a whole different level of friendship. Those experiences you’ve shared will be special memories and moments you can return to time and again whenever the two of you/or group of you chat about the trip. It’s such a unique link to create with another that connects you for life.

Some of the best friendships I have were forged, deepened and strengthened while traveling together and I’m so grateful to share the memories, inside jokes, appreciation of and love for specific destinations with them. They inspire and encourage me, share the same excitement about upcoming trips we have planned and are always eager to hear about the travel plans I have for my family, our  adventures & day dream with me about dream destinations we hope to visit in the future. Do you have friends like this?

Over the years I’ve discovered that the most joyful moments I’ve had while traveling were the time spent laughing with family & friends, sharing stories and our take on events, activities or experiences we had, views we saw, favorite moments, the impact those events/sights impressed on our hearts and lasting impressions we are walking away with💖🌎

What are some of your favorite travel moments? The things that you find yourself pausing to reflect on and the most precious memories that bring you joy?