Hi Friends!
Weāre leaving Connecticut for the winter and going to Costa Rica. Weāre hoping to stay through February but if weāre in a good groove, weāll likely stay through March. We are homeschooling Brian and Grace for the time that we are away.
Iāve always dreamed about doing something like this and decided this was the year to make it happen. I was tired of talking about it, wondering about it, and wishing for it. I had a very clear vision for what I wanted for my family this winter, and after a serious conversation with Brian, one long cold evening in December when all of our kids had the flu, I got a resounding YES from the one person I needed to be on board to make it happen. The kids couldnāt quite wrap their heads around it at the time, but as we lifted ourselves out of the flu fog, they became more and more excited with not an ounce of FOMO on missing a couple months at home.
The next day, I went online and got all the information I needed to homeschool our kids (Grace, 7 and Brian, 9) and was amazed at how simple the process would be as this was always my biggest hang up for doing something like this. I called Graceās teacher who I really love and trust and told her about the idea, and she she said if she could go back and do life with her three kids all over again with an opportunity like this she would jump in with two feet. Thatās all I needed. Brianās teacher was also enthusiastic. Brian walked into the office right after I got off the phone, with my eyes wide and big smile, I told him about my conversation with Mrs. M.
And then, we were both kind of in shockā¦ like, really? This can actually happen? Holy shit.
We proceeded to figure out all the other logistics over the next few days, and knock on wood, got everything covered.
Okay so a little bit about why we are doing this. Aside from the obvious, leaving winter to go to paradise for three months, let me get a few things out.
I understand what a fortunate position we are in to be able to do something like this, and that is part of the reason for our why. I have literally worked my ass off for over 13 years to build a business with the goal always being to break out of the box, and work on something I truly love.Ā Once Brian came on board in 2018 we had the ultimate flexibilty. We can parent and do our business together, tagging in and out when needed and have been able to create a life for our family that is something I couldnāt dream of. It comes with its unique struggles, its sacrifice, its risks, but with the benefit of flexibilty, comes opportunity, and that started become crystal clear to me on that one cold long December night.
Time. Iām a mourner of it. If I can paint a picture for you, Iām hugging my kids real tight, Iām picking them up from school early, weāre getting into the car and driving to the airport for an adventure on the beach and in the jungle where no one knows us. Where we can wake up with the sun, spend the day outside together, learn a brand new culture, study a new language, taste different foods, see wildlife, learn to surf, eat fresh foods and cook and enjoy meals slowly together, and go to bed early, and do it all over again. I want this time to soak them up, at their beautiful wild and free young and ripe ages of 2, 7 and 9. And as much as I want to soak them up, they are the ultimate soaker uppers, they are like sponges at this age and what a gift we can give to them – this TIME together, where Brian and I can be their top āinfluencersā, where they can see and experience and discover with us at their side to guide them.
I know as they get older, this sort of thing will get harder and harder, or maybe not, I guess weāll see but now feels like the right time.
I have no idea what to expect really, Iām sure itās going to be challenging at times, but ohh are we excited!!!
My hope in sharing this adventure with you is not to make you jealous or envious, but to inspire you to listen to that voice in your heart, the one that whispers so quietly in a world of noise.
