My Parents, My Friends

On the eve of trip number one of two this holiday season, I’ve been thinking a lot about how lucky I have been am when it comes to travel, specifically travel with my parents. Over the past three years, I have taken some incredible trips with my parents, or perhaps my parents have taken some incredible trips and been kind enough to let me crash :)

A bit digitized but the only photo of the three of us, from our travels (which is insane). Floating Piers, Italy

True to my Sagittarius nature, I love travel. There’s hardly a place I don’t want to visit. Still, more than the destinations themselves, which have been truly spectacular, what I am most thankful for, is the time I’ve had with my parents. As an adult, it’s rare to have so much one-on-one, or in this case one-on-two, time with your parents. Due to my sister’s work/school schedule and the fact that I’m single, it’s just been the three of us on our adventures. I’ll admit that there are moments when I need a few hours alone, but I wouldn’t trade a moment for anything.

Mommy and Me slippers (Dad wouldn’t put his on) c/o one of our fabulous hotels in Normandy.

My parents and I have always been close, but in discovering new parts of the world, navigating mountainside roads and directions that make no sense, poorly translating languages with more vowels than I knew existed, and ordering meals where no one really knows what will end up on the table, our relationship has gotten that much richer. As happens with age, my parents and I are not just family, but also friends and these trips have been a huge part of that transition. Don’t get me wrong, I will still turn to them, can be a brat, need my mom when I feel homesick/unsure of a new locale we’ve arrived in, but I mean, is anyone ever too old to need their Mom/Dad?

Post-dinner at an incredible Irish pub in Lahinch found by yours truly.

Looking forward to making more memories with my original ride or dies over these next two weeks, and crossing my fingers for no flight delays!

Do you travel with your parents? Have you transitioned into that friend phase with your parents?