Last week, I asked Al to write a post that would explain in his own words, what our upcoming trip means to him. In honor of his last day of work today, and his 29th birthday this Sunday, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share his side. Enjoy!

My husband, the perfect 10 (as proven by his perfect 10 leopard tank).

Back in 2006, Megan and I had started dating. Since we had become best friends twelve months prior, our first year together was less traditional than most new couples. Rather than a typical fancy dinner, night at the movies, and other things “NORMAL” people do, Megan and I would walk across town and hang out at Barnes and Noble (like most popular kids at a Big10 school).

Our very first visit to B&N went like this; upon arrival, we scouted the store for two isolated, comfy couches, staked our claim by leaving a random article of clothing, and we ventured out into the land of overpriced books. Out of the dozens of sections, each of us went straight for the travel section of the store and giddily perused the lists of majestic lands we hoped to travel one day.

We each had our separate “bucket list items” but we enthusiastically listened to each others reasons for a must-visit country or region. “Wow, Meg, come look at this place!” I would shout and I’d show a picture her of a pristine beach in the Philippians. “So amazing! We NEED to go there! And look what I found!” showing me a troop of Gorillas in the Ugandan rainforest.

Upon the hundreds of magazines and region guidebooks, our individual wish lists literally stacked a few feet high which we waddled back to our secluded (reserved) couches. We spent the next several hours being awestruck by all the beautiful places this world has to offer; the serenely beautiful, the culturally enriching, the adrenaline inducing. Between the two of us, we wanted to do everything; nothing was undesirable or off limits. Not only did we want to go everywhere, but we wanted to go everywhere together. At this particular moment, I had fallen in love with Megan and I knew these plans weren’t mere fantasy; I knew we would travel the world together.

So here we are almost 10 years later, on the brink of fulfilling this relationship long dream and all I can feel is assurance. I know we are supposed to go on this adventure and I know it’ll be everything we want it to be. I’ve told Megan before that I think we are the best versions of ourselves while we travel. Our individual strengths shine through while the other supports our weaknesses, which allows us to handle any situation that we encounter.

I’m not anticipating long term travel to be a cake walk; I know challenges will arise every single day. However, I feel most alive when in a foreign land and a foreign situation; you depend on your instincts and become less preoccupied with the “what ifs” that can bog you down in life.

Lastly, nothing feels more rewarding than realizing a dream. Meg and I have discussed endlessly on how this process was going to happen. We’ve made lists upon lists of budgets, locales, pre-trip to-dos, etc. etc. etc. and we are so close to that final item on the list which is the most exciting of them all: DO IT.

back in 2006 – Only 10 years to go until we’d finally make it happen.