“The older I get, the more I realize the best investment I’ve ever made wasn’t in things—it was in experiences with the people I love.”
For years, I’ve helped people plan unforgettable vacations. I never expected turning 40 would remind me why they matter so much.
Like a lot of milestone birthdays, it made me pause and reflect. Not on what I’ve accomplished or what I still hope to achieve, but on something much simpler:
How I’ve spent my time.
As I looked back over the last decade, I expected to think about promotions, milestones, or goals I’d accomplished.
Instead, I found myself thinking about a map.
I realized how many countries Jason and I have been fortunate enough to explore together over the last ten years.
Not because I was keeping score.
But because each one immediately brought back a flood of memories.
I thought about the streets of Paris during the Olympics.
People from all over the world filled the city, proudly wearing their country’s colors and cheering for their teams. We struck up a conversation with a group of soccer fans, and within minutes, strangers became friends.
Long after the Olympic flame was extinguished, those friendships remained.
We still keep in touch across continents. In fact, this year they called to sing “Happy Birthday” to me—in both English and French. It was such a simple gesture, but one that reminded me of something I’ll never forget.
One of the greatest souvenirs travel has ever given me wasn’t something I could pack in a suitcase.
It was people.
I thought about hiking to the summit of Mount Etna—the active volcano in Sicily that’s actually erupting as I write this—with my husband. Standing on the edge of a landscape that felt almost otherworldly reminded me just how incredible this world really is.
I thought about taking my parents on their first European cruise and watching my dad experience Europe for the very first time.
I thought about meeting new friends in Italy and sitting down for what we thought would be dinner—only to look at the clock four hours later. Somewhere between incredible food, local wine, laughter, and stories, time simply disappeared.
Those are the moments that stay with me.
It wasn’t the number of countries that made me smile.
It was everything those countries represented.
Every passport stamp tells the story of time spent with the people I love, friendships that crossed borders, moments of awe, lessons learned, and memories I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
That realization caught me by surprise.
When I look back on the last ten years, I don’t think,
“I’m glad I bought that.”
I think,
“I’m so grateful we went.”
When I was younger, I thought success looked like being busy. A full calendar meant I was productive. Crossing things off my to-do list felt like progress.
Now, I see things differently.
Life isn’t measured by how busy we are.
It’s measured by the moments we remember.
As a travel advisor, people sometimes assume my job is simply to book vacations.
But what travel advisors really do goes far beyond reservations.
We help people make the most of their time by handling the details, anticipating the unexpected, and designing experiences they’ll remember long after they return home.
The best part of my job isn’t booking flights, hotels, cruises, or theme park tickets.
It’s knowing those reservations become stories families will tell for years.
A long-awaited trip to Europe, celebrating an anniversary over pasta and wine in Italy.
A Disney vacation where your child meets their favorite character for the very first time.
An African safari where you witness wildlife you’ve only ever seen in documentaries.
A multigenerational trip where grandparents, parents, and grandchildren create memories together.
A cruise where every morning brings a new destination and every evening ends around the dinner table sharing stories from the day’s adventures.
Those are the moments that matter.
One thing I’ve learned is that life never really slows down on its own.
There will always be another project.
Another bill.
Another school year.
Another promotion.
Another reason to wait until next year.
But the families I work with rarely come home talking about what they left behind.
They talk about the meal they still can’t stop thinking about.
The city they unexpectedly fell in love with.
The conversation they had while wandering unfamiliar streets.
The giraffe that walked right past their safari vehicle.
The fireworks reflected in their child’s eyes.
The laughter around the dinner table on the last night of a cruise.
Those become the stories that are told over and over again.
As I start this next decade, I don’t have a list of things I want to own.
I have a list of experiences I hope to have and people I hope to share them with.
Maybe that’s what getting older gives us—not fewer dreams, but a clearer understanding of which ones matter most.
Maybe your meaningful trip looks different than mine.
Maybe it’s finally taking that long-awaited trip to Europe and celebrating your anniversary over pasta and wine in Italy.
Maybe it’s taking your children to Disney before they outgrow the magic.
Maybe it’s setting out on the African safari you’ve always dreamed about.
Maybe it’s gathering three generations of your family for the cruise they’ve been talking about for years.
Whatever it is…
Don’t wait for the perfect time.
Life has a way of filling our calendars.
Meaningful memories only happen when we decide to make room for them.
Because one day, years from now, those moments won’t just be vacations.
They’ll be the stories you tell.
And in the end, I think that’s what makes a life well lived.
Ready to make time for what matters most?
Whether you’re dreaming of a European adventure, a magical Disney vacation, an unforgettable African safari, a multigenerational cruise, or a milestone celebration somewhere extraordinary, I’d be honored to help you create the kind of experiences that become your family’s favorite stories.
Because the best investment you’ll ever make isn’t in another thing.
It’s in the moments that become your favorite stories.
P.S. If you’re one of the people who’s been part of these adventures over the last decade—whether we shared a meal, cheered for a team, explored a city, or simply crossed paths—thank you for being part of the memories that made this reflection possible.
