Happy Sacred Sunday!
There was a recurring question being asked in my family this weekend, and I thought it was important to bring it to you.
“Was this worth it?”
The question was in regards to a trip we took to Seaside, Florida.
My husband, two younger boys, and I flew up to Pensacola on Wednesday night, rented a car to drive to Santa Rosa, stayed at an airbnb for 2 nights, met up with our oldest son there, and then the 5 of us drove back to Pensacola and flew back on Saturday.
From a logistics perspective, none of our boys thought the trip was worth taking. The trip seemed a bit pointless to them. It felt like a weekend getaway to the keys but tacking on an extra long commute.
There wasn’t anything particularly special about the trip. The time there was too short to settle into the area. We didn’t get beach weather. And we gave Orly the space to stay with his friends until we headed back.
Justin argued that we could have done the same things we did there, at home. And he’s not wrong.
But could do is not will do. So here’s what we did do:
All that time we spent commuting we spent it together.
Then in the two days we were there, we were out of the routine together.
I got to take long bike rides with Ryan.
Orlando got to play golf with Ryan and Justin. I tagged along on the golf cart to enjoy the most nature-filled, peaceful golf course.
We got to have dinner with Orly, his friends, and their parents.
We got to hang out and watch some of our favorite tv shows at the airbnb together.
We made memories … together.
Orlando and I realize that our boys are growing fast and the time we have as “The Five Fingers” is quickly changing.
As they grow, their interests change, their independence blossoms and their schedules start to depend on different factors, we don’t know what life will look like as a family.
That’s why Orlando and I are looking for as many micro moments as possible.
So was the trip worth it?
Hell, yes.
Because it was never about the trip. It was about the intention of creating as much together time as possible with these boys.
My husband and I have very clear intentions and we nurture them unapologetically.
Whether they realize it or not today, one day our boys will look back and all these little random moments will turn into a collection that suddenly makes a lot of sense.
Today is father’s day and I have to say that I feel so grateful for the man I chose to be the father of my kids. His devotion to our family is unparalleled and he has modeled for me what a life of intention is all about.
It is also the Summer Solstice – officially the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. A new season.
And in a way, that’s what this trip was. A practice run at the new season that’s coming.
Orly has one more year with us before he leaves to pursue his acting career, and the signs are already here. He spent most of these days with his friends and met us at the end. So we did something different. The four of us went, he joined us there, and he came home with us.
We’re starting to step into the next season while we still hold tight to the one we love. Trusting that the foundation we’re building now will be solid enough to keep us close when they all have lives of their own.
And that’s exactly what I get into on this week’s episode: entering new seasons and identities even before the calendar says they have arrived. Listen here.
Today I invite you to reflect on the choices you are making.
What you spend your money on. How you spend your time.
Who you prioritize.
What your intentions are.
How you’re nurturing them.
And then ask yourself, is this worth it?
Whatever the answer, make your next choice from there. That’s how you find your way back to alignment.
With love,
