21/06/2024
When Zach and I got married in 2015, we asked our guests to give us money toward a honeymoon as opposed to a traditional gift registry because we needed a vacation and didn't need a second toaster. As we researched where we wanted to go, we stumbled across a similar story of a newly married couple who had turned their short-term honeymoon into an epic 500-day adventure spanning the globe. Why the hell couldn't that be us? We owned no property, had no pets or kids, we weren't in careers we loved. If this couple could do it, then so could we. Together, with guidance and advice from our new Internet obsession, HoneyTrek Zach and I began to build what would become the next decade of our lives. We watched the HT packing video over and over, we adopted their saving and budgeting plan, we took notes on every travel resource they provided, we even created our own travel moniker, heavily inspired by their brand name. Finally, in October of 2017, we left the USA on a one-way ticket to South America.
Since that first trip, we've spent over 25 months living and traveling abroad. We watched the Honeytrek brand grow and expand, continually inspiring us to travel with purpose and passion. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd meet Mike and Anne, in person... until this past weekend. We attended Camp Indie, a travel and networking conference disguised as an adult summer camp and guess who the keynote speakers were?! I tried so hard not to fangirl, as I shared our story and explained just how deeply their journey has impacted our own. We connected over mutual travel experiences and even made loose plans to meet up out in the world someday (Burning Man, anyone?).
Most days, we have no idea if we're on the paths that are meant for us. We don't know the road ahead or how we'll get there. But occasionally, in rich and wonderful, full-circle moments such as this, we know without a doubt that we are right where we're meant to be, trekking through life as part of the sweetest community around! Thank you Mike and Anne, from the bottom of our backpacks!
Location Indie