May 26, 2024 (the gift of adult friendship)

Prepping to leave for Paris and Lucerne in a couple of weeks (!! send me all ur travel recs !!) and I just can’t wait. Both cities sparkle with charm and elegance—I have no doubt the trip will be lovely beyond belief. But even more than the experiences, I can’t wait for the company.

Clare, Lea, and I first met as naive, ambitious freshman at Michigan State University well over ten years ago (barf, how are we this old). Our seemingly serendipitous (nothing is serendipitous with God) suite mate arrangement at Case Hall was the initial spark that led us to become, first, awkward and shy acquaintances; then, friends; then roommates, adventure buddies, and confidants; supporters and bridesmaids; and, for the first time in 2022, an international travel trio. In just a few weeks, we’ll be reunited once more in France and Switzerland.

Having now done both group and solo travel, myself (solo for the bucket list to the Amalfi Coast last summer), I can now surely proclaim that nearly all of life’s experiences are far richer, deeper, and fuller when they’re shared with people you love. Life is just better with friends.

Initially, I had planned to go to Paris alone, with a promise to meet up with Lea in Switzerland right after. And I was settled in my heart to do so. We were still missing one member of our trio, but sometimes that’s just how the cookie crumbles. Yet, ALAS! Clare announced last minute that she’d be able to join me/us for both legs of our journey, and my heart exploded. My eyes and soul welled up with JOY.

Adult friendships are such a gift. Time together is such a gift. And I cannot wait to spend time with some of my favorites, so soon, in Europe of all places.

All this to say: cheers to serendipity; cheers to Capital One travel redemptions; and a really big cheers to friends who feel like family. Life ain’t perfect but it’s still quite good.