Her and I: Napa Valley

Before Lynn and I's latest trip, I'd only experienced Napa once — a quick, very hot work trip with little time to explore. Yet, the allure of Napa Valley is undeniable for me. I enjoy wine, and there's so much to love about the region: endless vineyards, stunning landscapes, beautiful weather, and the brilliant blue California sky. This trip marked the first vacation Lynn and I have taken together in quite some time without our kids. Living away from family makes such getaways rare.

This rarity is why we treasure our family memories so dearly and why we've created so many—more often than not, we've had to pack everyone up, dog included, and explore together. I'm immensely grateful to my mother-in-law for holding the fort with our kids while we were gone. While we have very low-maintenance, easy-going kids, it's still a considerable undertaking, especially during the school year.

Switching off from your everyday responsibilities, especially as a parent, can be challenging and is not immediate. Anxiety nudged me the first night; I found myself texting our kids at 5 a.m. as they were getting ready for school. Being away and not ensuring everything at home runs smoothly can be unsettling. Yet, stepping back is essential — even if just for a bit.

Our day at Larkmead with friends was really enjoyable. The vineyard's beauty was matched by the great wine and the perfect weather. While Napa's reputation is mostly for the wine itself, I found the ambiance of the vineyard was what I enjoyed most. We indulged in a few tastings that day, each of them unique. We really enjoyed these scheduled moments with friends, but we equally were looking forward to some alone time, just her and me.

While scheduled fun has its place, our most cherished memories come from our unplanned moments. Plan some activities, but embrace spontaneity. We spent time relaxing by the pool, biking around town, photo stops on the side of the road with the convertible's top down, and exploring the different towns in the valley.

Speaking of the convertible, much of our enjoyment came from this unexpected upgrade at the airport: a bright blue convertible Mustang. Despite the havoc it wreaked on Lynn's hair, cruising the valley in that car became a highlight, especially during the golden hours of dawn and dusk. Those drives were soul-reviving — times of pure enjoyment coupled with reflective moments. They awakened new dreams within me. I cannot explain why. The simple activities together became some of the most meaningful moments, and those can be created anywhere.

This trip also provided a glimpse into our next life phase. It emphasized the importance of prioritizing quality time together while still valuing our remaining years with our kids. In both scenarios, we need to continuously seek new experiences. 

We prioritized our connection, cultivating the bond between "us." Soon, just "us" will be what day-to-day life will look like. Although the idea of this can be a bit depressing, it will come and can be a sweet new season of life. We had deep and meaningful conversations about our past, our present, and our future. In some way, they all thread together so that you see them all at once. We also chatted about meaningless, playful topics that have nothing to do with anything. Both are essential. 

I've found that the beauty of marriage lies in spontaneously enjoying moments together and equally choosing the ones you create. This trip deepened my gratitude for our shared history and renewed my excitement for our future. We left with a few new ideas, pursuits, and passions. There's so much life ahead, filled with experiences and dreams to be realized.