Reflections on the Anniversary of Our Great Escape

One year ago today, Matt and I landed in Bangkok, Thailand and our great escape began. We started off with a goal of traveling the world for one year. Well, we did it. It looked nothing like we initially intended and had missteps and triumphs all along the way. But, you know what? That’s what made it an adventure! Yesterday was the anniversary of the day we took off and that sent me into a state of reflection. What was this year all about? What did I learn?

Our Great Escape Was Only So Great Because Of Matt

Yes, the trip was absolutely about traveling the world, and believe me, we did that. However, some of the biggest takeaways are lessons I learned about our relationship and about the amazing man that I married. I’m not going to pretend that we never snipped at each other or lie and say we never got in a fight, but we honestly got along amazingly considering we have been together just about 24/7 for an entire year. Those moments are a drop in the ocean compared to the millions of moments that Matt made me smile, laugh or feel so loved. Matt showed me love in all kinds of ways (both big and small) every single day. He walked with me to 7-eleven at midnight when I was craving chocolate milk. He carried my big pack for me when I broke my arm and supported me through a surgery. He never made me feel bad about having to come home for a couple of months for my recovery and made sure we got back out on the road. He helped me through the loss of three people I loved very much and stayed up all night with me while we were waiting for news about our new baby nephew. The amount of gratitude and love I have for this man is just indescribable.

Talk to People + Listen to People

It’s probably the anthropologist in me, but I always want to talk to people. I’m a very extroverted person, especially one-on-one and anytime anyone wanted to share something about their lives, I was there to listen and it’s from these moments that some amazing memories really stand out. The monks in the photo below started out by taking their own photos in this window at Angkor Wat, but when they saw me, they asked if they could take a photo of me in the window and asked me to pose with that quintessential double-peace-sign pose. We all giggled and chatted as best we could through our language barrier and became fast friends.
 
Another highlight like this included the woman in Laos who approached me while I was waiting for Matt to take a timelapse. She showed me how she cross-stitched the purses and pillows that she made. We only had 10 words between us that we both understood, yet her generosity, kindness and sweetness shined through. Before we parted ways, she tied a bracelet on my wrist, kissed my hand and patted it and said, “For you.” Her kind gift moved me, and I wanted to pay her for the beautiful, handmade bracelet. Matt had our money, so I waved him over. She refused our money and instead gifted Matt a bracelet as well. These are just two of the many sweet interactions we had across the world.

Never Turn Down An Opportunity to Express Gratitude

I have so many things in this big beautiful life of mine to be grateful for. I’ve tried to make a life mantra of the Mary Oliver quote, “Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.” It’s so true, but at the same time it’s so easy for it to slip my mind. I found that travel keeps me in that mindset because each and every day is so new and unique it’s easy to be grateful. 

Let The World Make You Feel Small

This planet of ours is unreal. Let it show you that. One of the things I love most about Matt is that he is completely wowed by nature. Whether it’s standing on top of a mountain, looking up at the stars, looking over a cliff or standing in the mist of a waterfall, I love letting the earth remind me how small I am.

Collect Moments, Not Things

While this is something Matt and I try to live by anyway (although, we have things too, don’t get me wrong) there’s nothing like creating a lifetime of memories that will reinforce that feeling. In case we had forgotten, this gorgeous street art in Reykjavik was a wonderful reminder.

Just Simply Live

Have insomnia in the far north? Make the most of it by taking a midnight hike. See a sunset that blows your mind but you’re already in pjs? Throw on your hiking boots and run around outside anyway! Drink that second cup of coffee. Take the scenic route. Just soak it all up because it doesn’t last forever.

So What’s Next?

It’s insane to me that this trip is over. We’re currently in Asheville, but tomorrow we drive back to Missouri. Monday starts a whole new chapter in life for us. Matt has taken a job that’s a huge step forward in his career and I’m so proud of him. Doing this also means that we’re putting down roots. It’s a little scary, but it’s beautiful and exciting as well. We have other goals we’re excited to work toward, but traveling will never not be one of them. It will just look different.  I can’t deny that knowing our great escape is over makes me sad. It does, but that’s normal I think. I’m sad that my life isn’t exciting + new every single day in the way that it is while traveling. However, it pushes me to find the excitement in everyday life. I’m also sad that I don’t get to be with Matt all day everyday. We really became a unit on this trip in a way that only couples who have done something like this can know, I think. We were everything to each other just about every minute of everyday. It’ll be a huge adjustment to spend so much time apart.

We’re entering a new stage in life and I couldn’t be prouder of Matt. For me, blogging is still very much my work and we’re working on launching a whole new Ozarks-specific blog (coming soon) in addition to this one, of course. I’m also working part-time at my favorite local brewery and traveling is still my passion. My adventures will revolve a lot more around Matt’s schedule, but I also have a slew of other people I enjoy traveling with (including myself) should the opportunity arise.
A huge period of change is coming for us, but luckily with Matt by my side, I’m confident we can tackle anything.

For the Love of Wanderlust isn’t going anywhere. In fact, speaking of this year-long adventure, I have loads of content coming at you and there will be more and more to come through the years.