Summer is officially in full swing—vacations abound, the weather has reached that “walk outside and instantly sweat” stage, and Fourth of July festivities are underway.
We recently took our first weekend family getaway to the Luray/Shenandoah area to visit the caverns and simply enjoy being away from home for a few days. For years, we put off short family trips like these for a long time because, during those infant and toddler years, it often felt like we were spending a lot of money just to do the exact same things we do at home… only with less sleep and more packing. And, if we’re being honest, that was kind of true.
But this trip felt different.
Our son absolutely loved staying in our little vacation house (or “cute house” has he called it). He explored every room approximately 57 times, delighted in sleeping somewhere new, and loved being just a little out of his usual routine. When it was time to leave, he was genuinely sad to go—which, as parents, was both sweet and a reminder that these experiences really do matter.
It made me think about the gift of seeing the world through a child’s eyes. As adults, we can get caught up in the logistics: the packing, the preparation, the endless snacks, the car rides, settling in, figuring out where to eat, and wondering why we packed everything except the one thing we actually needed (am I right?). But for our kids, all of that can feel like an adventure.
Turns out, that’s what makes all the effort worth it.
We have another big trip coming up soon—a three-week adventure to California to visit friends, something we’re fortunate to do during the summers thanks to the teacher schedule. It will be another new experience for our son and for us as a family. While I’m already anticipating the challenges of time changes, changing locations, and finally convincing our rising kindergartner that naps may be a thing of the past (eek!), I’m even more excited about the memories we’ll create together.
Even if you don’t have a big vacation planned this summer, I wonder: what might happen if you looked at something familiar with fresh eyes? Maybe it’s a day trip to a nearby town, visiting a favorite park, or simply exploring your own city as if you’ve never been there before.
Sometimes the most memorable summer moments aren’t found in elaborate plans or faraway destinations. They’re found in the ordinary moments that suddenly feel new again.
The memories are worth the packing.