Going to Alaska!!!
Last week I posted about wanting to take a big trip in two years and how I’d always dreamed of going on an Alaskan cruise. I’m a simple person for the most part and only have two major travel dreams, Alaska and the Grand Canyon. Of course once I do those that will make room for new ones. But back to the subject…
My post triggered an email from my Dad about how my parents were already booked on a Holland America cruise in September of next year and would Brad and I want to go with. They have a big (in cruise ship terms anyway) suite with a fold out couch. Not luxury accommodations since four of us would be sharing a small space, but at probably as good a price as you can get since they give really great deals for the 3rd and 4th person. I got excited and started talking to Brad about whether or not we could make it happen. We even have a ton of air miles and could probably make the flight to Seattle for free. But over the course of the weekend the reality of why I had said “in two years” came back again because we want to buy a house next summer and we can’t afford to do both, no matter how good a deal it is.
We even discussed putting off buying a house by a year because it would be such a great opportunity to take a vacation with my parents. I was struck by how wonderful it would be to have that memory to look back in on years to come. But the housing market is in such an amazing place for some of us to take advantage of right now and it would be silly of us not to do just that. I was close to tears on Saturday as I thought about it, it made me that sad no matter how much I knew it was the right decision.
This morning I am at the park with the boys. It’s cool and windy and we are running around having fun. My phone rings and I look to see who it is. “Dad” I should answer in case he’s calling with the cost to let him know that we probably can’t go. He has a huge surprise for me. He says, “Happy early Christmas, you and Brad are booked on the cruise with us.” I didn’t even understand at first and he had to clarify that this was a gift. I was so excited my eyes welled up with little tears of joy. Just typing this brings back the emotional memory and more little tears of joy. So next summer, Brad and I are taking an Inside Passage Alaskan cruise with my parents. Melt!
Thanks Mom and Dad. This means so much to me for so many reasons! I love you!
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Woohoo!
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you two will be able to do this. You deserve it :)