A November Florida

Traveling has always been an absolute staple in my life. When I met my husband, he had never even left the US, but within 6 months of dating he had visited 4 countries. A couple of years later we had quite the adventure in Belize, he even became a scuba diver! One could say I thought this was a promising beginning!

It turned out, it absolutely was not.

Not everyone wants to travel, not everyone has the means or flexible job that allows travel, I don't understand these things (lol) but I understand that they are other people's reality. And I think the same could be said for my ex. He didn't really want to travel. Or wanted me to make ALL the plans which got exhausting. At that point what is a girl to do?

I learned to travel without him!

It began when my daughter was 10 months old and she and I spontaneously booked a flight to Germany to visit my Oma who was sick (she is still alive and kicking!). I then began to travel for work and learned how to love adventuring and exploring places like Chicago, San Antonio, just on my own! This continued when my son was only 2 months old before I flew with him and my daughter to Germany (she was 21 months). Then a few months later they came to Vegas on a business trip with my mom. Plus many other adventures but those are the highlights without their dad. And now they are 4 and 2 respectively and they have the travel bug!! It wasn't always easy and I plan to post many stories and tips and tricks about traveling with infants and toddlers, but it was always an adventure with great memories.

So in the midst of working through our divorce, I was asked to travel to Florida for a work event. I figured I would take advantage of the situation and visit my brother for 4 days prior to my business trip. Now remember this is only 2 months after Africa, so I had just been on a solo vacation but this was right in the middle of the divorce. Obviously, I couldn't wait to spend time with family and then a fun work event!

Last minute my dad decided he wanted to join me (I got the travel bug from both of my parents) and visit my brother. So we rented this adorable AirBnB and it was the perfect breath of fresh air that I needed!! It wasn't quite the solo vacation that I had hoped for but I did get plenty of alone time, a lovely AirBnB that came with a pool and plenty of sunshine and palm trees.

I post this as my first travel post because it was the last time I remember feeling truly free and happy. I have been on a few trips since then, I even take one tomorrow for work, but this one hit just right. I think its important for parents to take time for themselves and enjoy their 'me' time and get some space. It is something that is underrated. Yes I miss my kids while I'm gone but I also don't miss them. I am just excited to get back to them.