Dear Brian, 

The first few years of the business were certainly a whirlwind. Three years had come and gone in a literal blink of an eye. We welcomed our little man Dolan into the world. We brought him home from the hospital on a Sunday, and you were back to work the following day, that Monday. The company was growing, and you slowing down just didn’t seem like an option. You working seven days a week was now our family norm, and the kids were young, so they had grown accustomed to that. 

About two months after Dolan was born, I asked you if we could take the kids away for a night, and you agreed. We drove out to Great Wolf Lodge in Pennsylvania, and it was amazing. Just to see the kids cracking up and going on all those crazy slides and water rides with you was fantastic. It was incredible to see us as a family unit, and we wanted more of it. I think that little overnight was somewhat of an awakening for the two of us. We realized we needed to put more emphasis on getting away with the kids and not going as long as we did without a vacation.

In those early days, going away for more than a night or two or anywhere other than a few hour car ride away was not an option, and that was okay. It was not in our budget, and there was no way you could be away from the office for more than two or three days. But again, we just needed to create our family moments around the business’s current situation. You became extremely intentional about this, babe. Thank you! Among all the other seats you were holding in the company, you now took the seat of our family vacation coordinator, and you still are today! 

We spent the next two years strategically placing a few overnights throughout the calendar year. We took trips to Hershey Park and Kalahari water park, and our anniversary go-to became a night at Crystals Springs Spa. None of these destinations were more than a three-hour drive from our home, and all locked in some unforgettable family time and memories.

Placing emphasis on family vacations became so important to you and me. These mini overnights early on with the kids and with each other gave us a glimpse of how fantastic that uninterrupted time together really was. They fueled us to want more of that. We’d return from our trips recharged and ready to go, ready to work hard so we could get more family time and more time with each other.

To date, we’ve been blessed to travel to some pretty amazing destinations all over the world with our crew and with each other. Having been given that gift of time with the kids and you are memories we will cherish forever. Thank you, Brian, for saying yes to that little overnight at Great Wolf Lodge over 11 years ago. And thank you for your intentionality to get away with us as frequently as the business and our budget would allow. 

I love you, 

MJ