Today marks a new chapter for us. Today we are heading to the airport with a one-way ticket in hand, a few overloaded bags behind us, and looking forward to the adventure that is about to take place over the next 14 to 18 months (or more). After nearly 4 1/2 years of travel blogging, we are finally heading out to complete the adventure that was originally planned those many years ago. There have been delays, challenges, changes, and surprises at every turn; even a huge one today. But everything has been for a reason. Every step has led up to this moment and we are going to do it the right way: our way.It is time to say goodbye to our loved ones and head off on our trip around the world.
Today is Day #1.
Saying Goodbye, The Right Way
In many ways today is a bittersweet moment in our lives. As Angie and I head off to the airport with our families in tow to say goodbye, I am reminded of when I left for my first long-term trip in August 2010; almost three years ago. We will be reliving the same moment and feelings that we had during the last trip, at the same exact airport, but with one key difference: Angie is coming along for the ride.
My trip has now become ours, and I couldn't be happier at the thought of it.
If I said that I don't constantly relive the day in my mind when I left her to spend 5 months in Asia I would be lying. It was quite literally one of the most painful days of my life; to say goodbye to someone I love while putting complete faith in our promise to wait for each other. The 14 hour plane ride to Tokyo was a mix of both excitement and complete and total despair as I looked forward to the amazing things I was about to do, and looking back on if I just made the biggest mistake of my life.
I came home early from that trip because of her, but not before proposing to her in Thailand 5 months later when she came to visit. You kind of have to do something like that when you are with someone who is that awesome. We each kept our side of the promise and now we are finishing what I started.
Together.
So now when we head through airport security and look back we will not see each others' crying face like the horrible memories from the first trip. Instead we will see our supportive family, hopefully not as upset about our departure as the last time, eager to (hopefully) come visit us somewhere amazing around the world.
This is, after all, business as usual for us; and is a day we've all been looking forward to and saving every penny for over the last three years. But where the last trip was planned for 14 months and only lasted 5, this will succeed. Our biggest challenger, supporter, fan, and critic is standing right next to us; and where we go together, we can do no wrong.
Now the time has come. Off to the unknown we go, it is time to start Living the Dream again.
See you in Paris!
