Backseat Living

(my momma at Stonehenge)

My mom was a traveler. My mom never let anything hold her back. My mom was brave. She didn't live life in the backseat--she took life and lived it, every single day, no matter what.

I like to think I have those characteristics, but, let's be honest, I don't really. I pretend to be brave, brash and energetic, like my mom, although, I'm really not.

(feedin' a deer, camera in tow)

That said, I'm on a mission to be more like my mom--more importantly, to live a life my mom would be proud of. Which means, (mostly) cashing in my frequent flier miles and getting my travel on--seeing my friends and family, enjoying what I've been given.

I've somehow convinced my dad to go to London with me (might have played the "but I don't have a mooooooom" card. It's only the second time I've played that on him), which means, my thought process until I get there is just basically London, London, London, accents, London, tea, London, London. I apologize in advance.
Cannot. Wait. To. Get. Back.
Favorite. Place. On. The. Entire. Planet. Sighhhhh.
(pictures from my last trip across the pond a few years ago)

I'm going to run a marathon relay in Maine with some of my best girls (squee!), I'm going to run Marine Corps Marathon with my mother in law. I'm going to give it my all and I'm going to love it. I'm gonna live life.
(at the beach in Waikiki)

There are a lot of things I don't have (kids!) (an accent!) (a pony!), but, there's a lot that I do have: great friends (who send me Princess Kate pictures, who love musicals as much as I do, who plan vacations with me, etc, I love y'all), family, puppies--and I am so very grateful for all that. I need to live a life that shows it.

(at Banff)

(at my grandpa's farmhouse)

I'm gonna be like my mom. No more backseat living for me.