January 1, 2015
Cuenca, Ecuador – What’s in a Resolution?
Almost exactly two years ago I sat in the first team meeting of the new year at work. The facilitator said, “Okay, tell us about your week ahead and your New Year’s resolution.” I don’t know about you, but I generally hate the whole NY Resolution business. This time, though, I had an answer as a week earlier Aaron and I had decided to really make the commitment to our RTW trip, so I announced that “My Hubs and I are opening a bank acount so we can save a for a big trip.” Of course the team responded with “Ooohhh! Where!? When?!” I certainly wasn’t ready to disclose our brand new plan right then, so I gave a vague answer… “We aren’t sure of the details, but we want to have enough money to do something when we’re ready.”
Pinky Swear!
For years we reminisced about the trips we each did back in the 90’s. “When I was in India/Antarctica/Thailand/the Marshall Islands…” Our friends were probably tired of hearing these same stories, too (Yes, Antarctica is cold…Thailand is hot…we know)! It was time to forge some incredible new memories that we could live off for another decade. We pinky-swore: Let’s stop talking about it and just make it happen. Let’s do something BIG!
Since our first date we imagined traveling around the world or working overseas. Heck, it was in Anner’s Match.com ad, “Wanted: Fella to Travel Around the World With Me”! Over the years, though, we also talked about putting an addition on the house, buying a car, going to grad-school for me or a wood-working apprenticeship for Aaron. We talked about a lot of things, but they all required a little money and, WAY more importantly, enough bravery to go Big and take a chance!
So here we are – WE DID IT! WE TOOK THE BIG LEAP! Two years after that team meeting and we are now two months into our Big Trip!
We want to reach out to anyone who is secretly contemplating Something Big this year. Maybe you haven’t breathed a word of it. It’s okay…your secret’s safe with us. Maybe it’s that thing you want to do this year but, if you’re honest about it, you’re a little scared to do. Maybe it’s your own big trip or changing jobs or starting a business or a foundation or running a marathon or a 5k (that’s like a marathon for a lot of us), or, or, or whatever it is to you! We just want to encourage you to go for it! Dream Big. Make Big Plans. Believe in yourself and Make It Happen. Resolve to do the thing that YOU most want to do! We can’t wait to hear about it!!!
you guys are my hero!
When you meet us in Africa with a suitcase full of replacement clothes, you’ll be our hero! 🙂
Way to make your dream a reality and encouraging me to dream BIG for my next step.
We’ll just keep alternating! You went first…
Well done! You are the cutest couple!!
Aww, shucks. 🙂 Thanks for all the encouragement while we were planning!
You guys are so inspiring!
Thanks Kathy! So many people inspired us while we were contemplating this trip that it would be great if this journey inspires others to take a big step…whatever it might be.
You’ve done it in the right order. Traveling takes more physical and emotional energy than going back school, building on to the house. Those will be there when you are older. So happy for you (and, don’t tell, more than a little bit envious because I didn’t do a BIG thing when it was possible).
Well it’s safe to say that traveling is more fun than those other things! 🙂
Building your own home (as we’ve done twice) can be pretty exciting too, just a different kind.
Christa and I both teared up at the part where you mention “Wanted: Fella to Travel Around the World With Me”. Anner wrote it, Aaron answered it, you got married, and now you’re doing it. Such a romantic story!!! *sniff* Have a wonderful New Year, you lovebirds. Live the dream!
Romance is in our blood! Now if we can just learn the tango while we’re in Argentina…ooh-la-la!
Thanks for supporting us and inspiring us to get going with all your guys’ trips as well. There’s no one we know who lives life with more gusto than you two. Keep it up!!!!
I couldn’t have said it better. 3 1/2 years later after we took the big leap to rip ourselves out of the womb of America and move to Switzerland, LIfe is amazing. Its been a tough tough 3 1/2 years but every moment was worth it. As the cliche goes money can’t buy rich memories like this. I am sooooo glad you guys chose your journey (or maybe it chose you). An experience like this is tailor made for you guys. I see even bigger things for you. Novel? TV show? Movie deal? Who knows, stranger things have happened….
We’re thinking hit Broadway musical followed quickly by a Disney on Ice version. Don’t worry, I’m sure we can find a juicy part for you. Seriously, though, you guys were a great inspiration for us and we hope, hope, hope to see you perhaps this summer if the stars align.
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