Exploring Hawaii

When you travel what experiences do you love the most? There are so many new sites to see, food to try, landscapes to take in and different cultures to explore. Do you prefer to travel alone for some R&R or are family trips with the whole family the most memorable?

My most memorable trip has been Hawaii. I received a phone call from my best friend with a surprising announcement. She had just married her Marine boyfriend stationed in Kaneohe. Now of course you have to fly out to meet this new life and role she so eagerly wanted. Would I have expected that this trip would forever change my life? No, I thought it would be a fun time to meet this new husband, get away from the real pressures of life and enjoy the beach.

Five years ago I met the most kindest and funniest man I never knew existed at the time. Hawaii was amazing. I still remember how scared I was swimming with the dolphins and sea turtles way out in the ocean. Everyone had already started swimming back to the boat and I was looking around for my new friend who joined us on the adventure. Five minutes later he pops his head out of the water with the biggest smile on his face as I had looked so worried and was ready to be out of the ocean. There are so many great conversations and happy moments. I could go on and on. I won't but I will tell you why this person changed my life.

He had his second deployment to Afghanistan coming up. About 5-6 weeks before he was due home- He and other men in his unit passed away. It was just awful and terribly sad. Never had I paid so much attention to war overseas before this happened. Never had I questioned a death- so young and full of life. The hurt has been absorbed and as life goes on for the rest of us, it truly makes you appreciate the good. Hope for peace and respect our soldiers and veterans as often as possible.

When you travel, you never know who you are going to meet or what you are going to experience. Always be open to new experiences and being good to those you don't know yet. You never know how much of an impact they or yourself might have on their life.