Hey Reader,

I had a realization on our recent trip to Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World: I am officially old.

Not "yelling at kids to get off my lawn" old. Not "eating dinner at 4:30 PM" old (ok- I AM a 5pm dinner girl 😉). But I definitely became "my feet hurt so badly I'm considering hitchhiking on a mobility scooter" old.

The funny thing is, my one-year-old knees did great. Those fancy replacements were out there performing like champions. My feet, however, chose violence. By the end of the trip, my blisters had blisters. I was dragging, semi-cranky, and questioning every life choice that led me to walking nearly 10 miles a day.

When our kids were little, Disney looked very different. There were no Lightning Lanes. We had to sprint across the parks collecting paper FastPasses like they were rare trading cards. It was exhausting and exhilarating all at once. We turned it into a game, seeing how many we could stack up throughout the day. In fact, I still have piles of old FastPasses tucked away here in my office.

Back then, I didn't have a smartwatch tracking my steps. I sure wish I did!. I probably would have fainted if I'd known the numbers. On this most recent trip, one day at Universal clocked in at 8.8 miles. Another day at Disney came in at 9.9 miles. No wonder I was secretly eyeing people on scooters and wondering what kind of negotiation skills it would take to hitch a ride.

And yet...

Would I do it again?

Lord willing, YES. A thousand times over.

Because when I think back on the trip, I don't remember how tired my feet were (ok maybe a little 😂). I remember the laughter. I remember the shared jokes. I remember the rides, the conversations, and the moments that somehow become family stories to tell for years to come.

Did we pay way too much for snacks around the world? Absolutely.

Was it worth it? In terms of actual dollars to donuts? Doubtful.

But the memories definitely were.

One thing I've learned over the years is that travel isn't really about the destination. It's about the people you experience it with. The best souvenir isn't something you buy in a gift shop. It's the memory that makes everyone laugh years later when someone says, "Remember when..."

And that's the magic.

You don't have to spend beyond your budget to create meaningful memories. Some of the best moments come from the simplest experiences: sharing a meal, watching a sunset, telling stories, or just being together. The destination may change, but the people beside us are what make the journey truly priceless.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm looking forward to a relaxing 🛳️ cruise next month... where my feet and I have agreed to spend significantly more time sitting down. But I will follow it with a fun night of tracking across Magic Kingdom at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 🎃

Until next time,

— Rix ✨

"Officially Old, Still Traveling" 😄

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