By Michelle Preble
A few months back, when I was in a relationship, we had discussed a trip to Galveston, TX. Well, about three weeks before the said trip, he ended things with our relationship. That is all fine and cool, some people just can’t and shouldn’t be in relationships, but my kids and I became super excited about the trip to Galveston. I had never been, they had never been, I already had my dates requested off and moved my clients and classes...there was NO way I was going to break my children’s hearts and plan a whole new trip. So, I found the cutest little condo right across the beach and knew that it was meant to be. I mean, who is to tell anyone that they can’t take a vacation just because the relationship ended, we are adults after all...his friends certainly tried but that is a whole different blog for toxic friendships and codependency in friendships.
I digress.
I texted the AirBNB host, told her what was up and she immediately got back to me. It was set and I was pumped! A little back story, in 2019 I was separated and went through a divorce. The first night my kids and I were in our brand new apartment we created a long bucket list. Full of roadtrips, destinations, and many adventures in between. Then, the pandemic hit and everything that I had been building, all that momentum, was halted when we were all sent to time outs at home for “two-weeks.” Watching the pandemic unfold while trying to build my vision was terrifying. I worked three jobs at one point just to make absolutely sure that my kids and I had everything that we needed. I finally got to the point in my business that I didn’t have to work three other jobs. I saved every month and I continued to build my foundations in my business. I had more than enough to finally give my kids the vacation that they were so excited about ever since we started talking about Galveston those months ago.
As the days grew closer, we started our countdown. The week leading up to leaving day was the busiest and craziest week my business has ever seen. I had so much to get done before we left that it was like barrel rolling toward the end line. Finally, it was the day to leave. We loaded up with my best friend in tow and headed towards our destination. Not going to lie, I was a ball of anxious nerves the few days before we left but once we got on the road and settled in, it felt so liberating!
We blasted music, we laughed, we ate, the kids slept, I cried a few times (naturally) and we drove. We drove through Colorado, taking in all the beauty. The kids slept through New Mexico as I listened to books on Audible. We stopped a few times once we hit Texas and we created some of the most beautiful moments. We watched the sunsets and the beautiful sunrises. We played on the beach, we played in the pools, we ate, we laughed, and most importantly, we lived.
We didn’t let anyone stop us from enjoying our vacation. I didn’t let the harsh words of adults who know nothing about me, or my life, stop me from taking my children on a much needed vacation.
Take the vacation. Live YOUR life. If you are going to be about something, then be about that something 110%. Don’t just say it...live it. Walk it. Be so firm in your path that NO one can knock you off. You can do hard things. You can shift and re-create your life into something you have always wanted. It takes hard work, there will be long nights, but it will be so worth all of it. The smiles and memories that we have made will last a million lifetimes.
May you find some rest and recharge in your future.
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