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Let's See The World

Parker and I recently had a conversation that sort of altered how we want to do holidays and gifts in the future. We realized that stuff is great, but material wealth isn't going to produce the same happiness that experiences will. When I look back on our almost 4 years of marriage, my fondest memories are the things we have experienced together. That's what has given us the most joy. 

I think back to climbing Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg, TX and Parker making fun of me for complaining that my calves were on fire (geez, they really were). I think back to our honeymoon in Naples, FL when it rained every. single. day. but we still made a vacation out of it. I think back to the multiple strolls on the San Antonio River Walk we've taken from our trips there. Those experiences have given us such fond memories.

This is quite the generic goal I suppose, but our goal is to experience it all. We want to travel and see and live as much as we can. The best gifts Parker has ever given me have been experiences. Of course the stuff is nice, and money can buy happiness to a point, but over time our satisfaction with the material things dwindles. As silly as this sounds, I would much rather take a long hike as a family than receive a new dress. That special time walking through nature is what I am going to treasure for the years to come. Parker and I talk all the time about how much we loved Corpus Christi. We would walk along the water with Jenny every single day, and it made us so incredibly happy. These experiences don't cost anything, but they give us so much more in return than the new dress will. 

When I talk about my childhood, the stories that make me smile most are not the ones where we received the fancy toys. It's the time that my dad stuck his foot into the sewer to show me it wasn't scary. Meanwhile, I cried hysterically for him to stop because I just knew it was going to suck him in. It's the time where my mom took us to the grocery store and the man that worked behind the bakery always made a big deal when we came to see him. Without a doubt, my favorite childhood memory is the Christmas we went to Disney World. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I was 9, but I know I will remember it forever. 

I think I've just realized that life is too short not to do and see as much as possible. When I kick the bucket one day, I can't take any of it with me, but I want to go out with a bucket full of memories. Parker and I have decided to be more intentional with our spending and save on the stuff we really don't need and splurge on the things we want to experience. We have a world map hanging in our home with stars over everywhere we have been. When we are old and gray, I hope that silly thing is so sparkly with stickers that you can't even tell which states are which. So here's to experiencing it all. I may not get to see everything in this lifetime, but there's no harm in trying, right?

Parker surprised me with horseback riding on the beach for Valentine's Day, and we just went a couple of weekends ago!

What is something you've done that you know you will remember forever? 


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11 comments :

Kate at Green Fashionista said...

Love love love this post! We are the same way, as in we're not as big on material gifts and we'd much rather be traveling and making new memories together. We try to take one big trip, and one smaller domestic city trip each year. Stuff is just stuff, but memories especially together last forever :)

Kate Mitchell said...

"I want to go out with a bucket full of memories" - LOVE that and this post. Such a great way to look at things.

Janelle Cook said...

Love this! It's such a great idea. We ave the same philosophy for sure, and it's a blast getting to experience places!

Jen said...

I love this, such a great idea! It's so important to just enjoy moments like this. :)

Melissa said...

This is so awesome! Ryan and I made a decision over Christmas to gift experiences over material gifts, and we love it! We gifted money towards our travel fund, and we're going to South Africa in June! Love this so much :)

Semper Ag said...

I totally agree! When I got to take my family to the Houston rodeo this year, it flooded me with my own childhood memories of going there with my parents! It's always the experiences that you look back and smile about.

Bailey Kay said...

My family has the same philosophy. I never had the coolest toys growing up, but my mom and grandparents did everything they could so that we could see the US and build family memories.

Grandma Pat said...

My trip to Guatemala for Habitat for Humanity with 14 fantastic human beings and two incredible guides is one I will always remember. We built 6 smokeless stoves and started a house for several beautiful Mayans.

Janelle Cook said...

Just saw this article and thought of this post!

The Science of Why You Should Spend Your Money on Experiences, Not Things

http://m.fastcompany.com/3043858/world-changing-ideas/the-science-of-why-you-should-spend-your-money-on-experiences-not-thing

Lisa C said...

My favorite memories from childhood were of all the road trips we took as a family. I agree that experiences mean a lot more than things.

Melzie at Ribbons and Rotor Blades said...

I completely agree with you. When you die, you don't take any materials with you. But you'll be in heaven and have all those wonderful memories. On the reverse end, your loved ones left behind aren't going to be thankful you left with clothes and jewelry. They'll be thankful for the memories and stories and laughs and experiences you left behind!

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