2025 Unwrapped
"Take only memories, leave only footprints." – Chief Seattle
As 2025 comes to a close, I'm doing my best to double down on gratitude, even when the world feels a little dark. When I think about the travel adventures we have taken this past year and all the experiences we've had along the way, it's hard not to feel immensely thankful. It's not lost on me that travel is a luxury that not everyone is afforded. Frankly, if it weren't for the love and generosity of family, some of the amazing trips we've been able to take wouldn't have been possible. And so soaking up every place we go and bringing those memories home is 100% a gift. As I've gotten older I've grown to see travel as not only an opportunity to escape and get away but also as an opportunity to be reminded of the bigger picture. That connecting with new places, new cultures, new people, new cuisines, new rituals, new customs, etc broadens our appreciation for what is different and beautiful and can offer us a new way of looking at things. It provides us opportunity to share meaningful experiences with friends and loved ones. And maybe most importantly, it can take us out of our comfort zone, challenge us to adapt to new surroundings, and embrace adventure. Sometimes, it even convinces us to take a new leap professionally. That's a strong hint of what's to come :)
2025 Travel Unwrapped...
28 days
12 Flights
1 new country
10 cities
2 (new) National Parks
In January, Scarlett and I had a whirlwind 24 hour girls trip to NYC. We saw Wicked on Broadway, went ice skating in Bryant Park, saw all the iconic sites in Times Square and ate and shopped til we dropped. In March, Chris and I overnighted at the Inn at Little Washington with the best of friends and enjoyed 24 hours of luxury and one of the best dining experiences we have ever had. Spring Break 2025 took us to the 30A area in Florida where we spent five nights in Watercolor. Aside from the beautiful weather, highlights included the beautiful beaches, kayaking the lake, morning lattes from Black Bear, and cheeseburgers from Pickles. In June, we headed to Greece for a ten-day adventure with family. We got to explore the islands of Santorini, Paros (fav), and Naxos, and spent the final two nights experiencing the rich history and culture in Athens. In July we flew out West with family and had a week-long adventure exploring the stunning Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. So much awesome wildlife. We booked a spontaneous getaway in October to show the girls around Chicago. We took in all the iconic Chicago things and stuffed ourselves with deep dish before returning home. In November, we wrapped up our year of travel with a belated anniversary getaway to Savannah. It was our first time visiting and it made for a quick and easy trip somewhere new.
I'm looking forward to sharing some exciting things in 2026. I'll be dreaming up our next trips and seeking wonder as always, but there are also some other fun professional developments on the horizon. Stay tuned :)
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and adventure-filled New Year!