Hello friends! It is so delightful to be back in this space with you after a couple of weeks! I have truly missed this community and am excited to be back! Thank you so much to each of you that have been connecting over on Instagram these past few weeks while I was in Alaska and then on a very special cruise with Holland America Line!
As I greet this new day and get back to work, writing here again on the blog, and start an exciting new adventure (more on this later this week!) I wanted to just share a few thoughts about the cruise trip specifically.
As background: Anytime I have had the beautiful opportunity to travel (near or far) I have always been inspired and changed...but this past week was a sweet blessing in the midst of some very difficult days and a true treasured gift.
When I was invited to be part of a press trip with Holland America Line I was honored and humbled and as the details came together I knew it would be extremely special. What added a very personal component to the trip was my mom being able to travel with me and it was an incredible blessing.
As some of y'all know we left for the trip the day after (what would have been) my parents 50th wedding anniversary and on the day we were to have a special 50th party for them that I had been planning for nearly 2 years. Approaching both of these dates had been difficult and devastating for obvious reasons.
The timing of this cruise provided a beautiful opportunity in the midst of extreme pain and each day of this trip held so many lovely moments, and the care by each and every person we encountered went out of their way to make us feel like family and the atmosphere of Holland America Line is laced with a genuine compassion and attention to the smallest detail so that you truly are completely blessed. No one knew our story as we went in it was just the way that they are.
When I was invited to be part of a press trip with Holland America Line I was honored and humbled and as the details came together I knew it would be extremely special. What added a very personal component to the trip was my mom being able to travel with me and it was an incredible blessing.
As some of y'all know we left for the trip the day after (what would have been) my parents 50th wedding anniversary and on the day we were to have a special 50th party for them that I had been planning for nearly 2 years. Approaching both of these dates had been difficult and devastating for obvious reasons.
The timing of this cruise provided a beautiful opportunity in the midst of extreme pain and each day of this trip held so many lovely moments, and the care by each and every person we encountered went out of their way to make us feel like family and the atmosphere of Holland America Line is laced with a genuine compassion and attention to the smallest detail so that you truly are completely blessed. No one knew our story as we went in it was just the way that they are.
In addition to this our dinners with the entire press group were a gift that I will always treasure. For hours each evening (and different times throughout the day) we were met with lively discussion, incredibly inspiring stories, AMAZING people, and lots of laughter over a variety of different things and conversations that lasted well into the late evening.
Thank you Holland America Line for an opportunity to experience the beautiful ship and excursions, but most of all the care and love and genuineness of the entire staff in all areas. I can't wait to share more on the blog over the next few weeks about this entire adventure in more details (although words will never be accurate enough to describe perfectly!).
Thank you again to each person who made this possible, to Anna for your tireless efforts in leading this trip, to our dear new friends, and most of all to Holland America Line. I can't wait to sail with y'all again in the future, and this special cruise will always have a dear place in my heart.
Happy Monday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful day and start to this new week!
2 comments
I'm looking forward to hearing more about your cruise! I am so glad that Holland America served you and your mom during a difficult time. Thinking of you <3
ReplyDeleteAww thank you friend! I am so excited to start sharing as it was truly a beautiful time and a cruise line that I would FULLY recommend! Thank you for your sweet comment and for all of your thoughts and prayers. We truly need them and are so grateful. Sending love to you friend and your precious family!
DeleteWarmly, Rebecca