The summer vacation(s) that I’ve dreamt about for the past two years, honestly since childhood, begin tomorrow. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I, along with my little family, would be traveling for nearly six weeks, together. As a child, I never imagined that I would be able to see the places, people and sites that I read about in books. I spent my summers and holidays camping with friends at the Kings River and visiting family in my native California. I loved the experiences and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

I did hope that someday, I would get on a plane and take adventures to faraway lands. The onset of adulthood would do just that. My legal education, traveling partner extraordinaire, aka my husband, and my career, took me to all of the places I read about and more! I had high tea at the Orangery in London, rode the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, crossed the Brandenburger Tor to explore what had previously been a divided Germany, ate crepes in Paris, walked along the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, toured the home of Anne Frank . . . the memories are endless and are written down in volumes of journals and visually imprinted in my mind. My travel adventures have piqued my curiosity, challenged my thinking, filled me with joy and hope and completely surprised and excited me in ways that are indescribable. They are a huge part of me.

A short five months ago, I stepped away from a career and community that gave me so much, more than my heart could almost handle. Working tirelessly and seeking professional growth, achievement and financial security is what I was taught and observed in my family from a very young age. As a daughter of an immigrant father and fierce mother, hard work and hustle has been in my blood since day one. I made the easy, yet difficult decision, to step away from what I’ve known and fought so hard for, to be the very best mother, wife, family member and friend that I can be and to build experiences, connections and community with them as I had been doing in my workplace.

I am living in the moment. I am being. I am soaking it all in.

Tomorrow, I have the privilege to begin a journey with my family. To, explore and adventure and hopefully, to experience wonder, curiosity, joy, gratitude and faith in our world. Away we go!!