Soent my birthday at Disney World!

My parents instilled in me a love of family vacations from a very young age. It was important to them (and now, to me!) that we experience different places and learn about the world outside our home town. Some people dread family vacations or think of them as hijinks, but I loved my family vacations as a kid, and I see the value in spending time together exploring and experiencing new things.

We have been to Walt Disney World as a family multiple times a year since 2016, and before that, we went as married adults with no children. And, yes, I can verify that there are still things we haven't done, and that it was just as fun without children as it is with children.  If you're looking for a mom f more than one young kid who knows all the secret spots of shade to park the stroller for a nap, I'm your gal! But I still love to visit without children, for a different experience, and have also had a "girls' trip" or two there, kid-free (we did bring our inner-children along, though).

But we don't limit ourselves to Disney or even theme parks in general. My favorite solo travel is hitting Broadway, but I can get just as excited about traveling shows in Chicago or St. Louis. Sometimes Mama needs time to be an adult without "Mama, mama, mama" on repeat in her ear! This mama finds value in solo travel for art or for some reading on the beach!

Beaches are among my favorite locations for traveling alone or with adult friends because the sound of the ocean is calming, and the sunshine is unmatched, even on a cloudy day. The regalia required for kids on the beach is well known to me, as well.

Basically, if it's a family vacation, theme park trip, or kid-free trip with a friend, count me in! All travel is important, soul-filling work, and I am passionate about that work.