A Travel Love Story
Always with a smile.
— For my Valentine, today and always.
Whether we are in a postcard-perfect Italian hilltop town, nestled up in our favorite café enjoying the warmth of a cappuccino cradled in our hands or embracing the atmosphere of an authentic Irish pub listening to the tunes of fiddles being played in the background while tipping back our favorite whisky, you will always find Liam at my side while traveling.
At the delightful risk of indulging in the well-worn but undeniable cliché, in the case of Liam and me, it is indisputable that opposites attract. With an almost inexplicable force, we define the epitome of a couple who succumbed to the allure of this particular form of attraction.
One could speculate that a simpler, more tranquil existence might have been ours had different companions graced our paths. (Our four children would undoubtedly concur.) It is a thought that causes me to giggle as I pen and compose these lines, adding great amusement to the notion. Yet, in the spirit of authenticity, embracing and acknowledging this undeniable reality is crucial. Amid the flaws and dysfunctions that define our relationship, we have endured the test of time, having had our own style of fun as a couple.
Our life has been specifically designed to include an abundance of travel. Traveling brings a profound harmony to our dynamic connection, and it is through this activity that we have discovered a bridge that connects the gaps between our differing qualities and traits, allowing them to intertwine and complement each other beautifully. The past thirty-five years have included many unforgettable travel experiences. Hence sharing our "Travel Love Story" this Valentine's Day seems only appropriate.
A fiercely guarded and serious-minded eighteen-year-old girl, I was terribly ill-prepared for the relationship about to blindside me. And surely, Liam could not have anticipated the whirlwind ahead.
Very serendipitously, we met in the backroom of a grocery store. There, Liam stood, calmly managing the chaos of scattered groceries everywhere. He was perched atop a toppled grocery pallet, assessing the sea of broken bottles of dish soap and cans of green beans that lay below him. Despite the chaotic scene, he acknowledged my presence with a soft "hello." From beneath his tousled surfer hair, I could see his baby blue eyes peeking through the wispy blonde strands framing his face, accompanied by a warm, brilliant smile. With one glance, I sensed the futility of my defenses; the walls I had built to protect myself were crumbling under his gentle disposition. With my heart pounding, cheeks flushing, and brain wobbling, I could feel the universe's relentless motion momentarily cease.
Though our initial encounter made me ever so weak in the knees, I was not keen to lean into his sweetness that easily. He spent weeks coaxing me into laughter, searching for a hint of levity. Eventually, I surrendered to his playfulness. One afternoon, he tossed a bag of candy at me to garner a reaction. Without thinking, I reciprocated and tossed it back. He beamed that smile again and quipped, "Now we are getting somewhere. . ." I may have smirked back at him, but I definitely did not smile. After all these years, the interplay between us remains the same. As I sit across from him on this Valentine's Day, he is persistent in his attempts to woo me into laughter and play.
In Zermatt, not the time we almost were stranded.
Traveling together has always been a cherished experience and a source of excitement; even with a family of six, we managed to adventure internationally. Within weeks of settling the youngest child in college, we boarded an airplane bound for Tuscany and Provance. Liam thoughtfully scheduled this trip with impeccable timing, which allowed us to both lament the solitude of an empty nest and embrace the many travel opportunities ahead of us in this new chapter in our lives.
We welcomed the less traveled roads and the loveliness of thoughtful travel for fourteen glorious days. Winding our way through the rolling hills of Tuscany, pausing for cheese, wine, and pasta in almost every town we visited. We strolled hand in hand along every cobblestone street we met. We engaged with the locals and practiced our Italian. Somewhere amidst too much pizza and gelato, we stumbled upon the art of "Dolce far Niente," the sweetness of doing nothing, which led us to abandon our previously designed rigid itinerary. By the time Provence beckoned, we had settled into a glorious, gentle travel rhythm, though now we were attempting to speak French and exchanged eating pizza and pasta for crepes and croque monsieur. The allure of unhurried exploration captivated us, a pace that we've since embraced.
Most often, you will find us in quaint villages untouched by the masses or meandering through destinations unfrequented by influencers; we immerse ourselves in the places we visit. Even within bustling cities, we carve out our hideaways. We love getting lost in a grocery store or street market, spending hours sipping on an espresso in cafés, and simply observing the ebb and flow of life. We are repeat offenders, often revisiting the places we have connected with over and over again. Baristas in many places greet us, noting our return like old friends.
Our travels are mostly peaceful, although we have navigated some wild travel situations. While not seekers of extreme travel, our adventurous spirits, and inquisitive minds have led us into a few unique encounters and precarious circumstances, including the possibility of being stranded overnight night in the Swiss Pennine Alps at 9000 ft. in late October. Perhaps a story for another time. There was also the moment I was confident our final resting place would be the bottom of the wild Atlantic's depths between the Aran Islands and Galway. Thankfully, only the contents of another passenger's stomach flew overboard to meet the ocean that day. Fear rarely takes hold in the end because, intrinsically, I know we will always keep each other safe while traveling.
Nothing is ever perfect, but it is bliss to have a best friend with whom to travel through life and around the world. Traveling without Liam would be possible; it would look vastly different, perhaps calmer, but definitely less fun. When our story is recounted, tales of our travels will surely be told.
Happy Valentine's Day, William. Where to next?
-M
