Latest news with #Shayne

Business Insider
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
My husband and I sold everything to travel full-time. We keep to a $3,000 monthly budget and have strategies to keep costs down.
Two years ago, my husband and I sold nearly everything we owned to travel full-time. We'd been dreaming of doing it for years and decided to take the plunge. We live on a $3,000 a month budget and make sure to stay connected to family. At 55, my husband Shayne and I did something most people only dream about. We sold our home, our cars, and the business we had spent years building, and traded it all for a couple of suitcases and a one-way ticket to Bali. It wasn't a midlife crisis or a dramatic escape. This was the result of years of dreaming, planning, and figuring out what we truly wanted from the rest of our lives. But after a health scare and living through the pandemic, everything sped up. Suddenly, our "someday" turned into "now or never." Letting go of everything was strangely liberating The first step was selling the physical therapy practice Shayne had built from the ground up. After having it on the market for a few months with little interest, we were thrilled to sell it to one of his longtime employees. This gave us peace of mind and made the transition simple and feel more meaningful. Then came our house. It sold the first weekend it hit the market, and to our surprise, the buyers wanted to purchase most of our furniture too. After that, we donated, sold, or gave away nearly everything else. Both of our cars sold quickly, and some sentimental things went into storage. I never imagined that letting go of most of our possessions would turn out to be one of the most freeing parts of this journey. We created space. Not just in our closets, but in our lives. We built our life intentionally We didn't win the lottery or stumble into early retirement. We are not rich. We simply got clear on what kind of life we wanted, and then built a plan to support it. After selling our assets, we dramatically reduced our expenses and created a few modest income streams to help sustain long-term travel. We launched a cheap flight alert service, and started blogging at We set a monthly budget of $3,000. For the most part, we've been able to stick to it, even in places like Paris, Barcelona, and Mexico. One of our biggest strategies? We let the deal determine the destination. That means choosing locations not only based on airfare, but also on affordable lodging, local transportation, food costs, weather, and visa limits. Avoiding the high season and traveling during the shoulder season really helps keep costs down. And as a bonus, there are usually fewer crowds to contend with! As a rule, we only stay at places with a kitchen so we can cook most of our meals. This hack not only helps us save money, but also helps us eat healthier. Our lifestyle is simpler now, and we seek out low-cost or free experiences like walking tours, free museum nights, farmers markets, and long afternoons on the beach. Full-time travel is not one long vacation People sometimes imagine our life is just one big holiday, but it's far more grounded than that. There have been challenges: minor illnesses, language mix-ups, SIM card issues, missed flights, and moments of homesickness. But there have also been rice fields in Bali, night markets in Thailand, slow mornings in European cafés, and beachside sunsets we still talk about months later. It's not perfect, but we've found the best memories come from the imperfect moments. We left home, but we're still connected to family The hardest part wasn't letting go of our house or belongings. It was saying goodbye to our close-knit family of four daughters and nine grandchildren, all under the age of 7. Even though we are not in the same country as our family most of the year, we have found ways to show up differently now. We read stories over FaceTime, send postcards and little gifts from every country we visit, and post videos they love to watch. We've virtually attended dance recitals and cheer competitions. Our oldest granddaughter even practices piano with me on video calls. And when we come home to visit, we soak in every second, and it feels more meaningful. Distance hasn't weakened our bond. If anything, it's made it stronger. Two years later, we've never felt more alive Since we left, we've traveled over 120,000 miles across 15 countries. We've learned how little we need to feel fulfilled, and how much joy there is in slowing down and saying yes to curiosity. We've also learned that adventure, reinvention, and dreams don't have an age limit. We have learned that there is no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" version of early retirement or full-time travel. Everyone and every situation is different. But if you've ever felt that quiet nudge, the sense that life could look different, I hope our story shows you that it's possible. You don't need to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to take the first step.


Wales Online
17-06-2025
- Wales Online
Mystery of missing doctor solved 12 years after he vanished without trace
Mystery of missing doctor solved 12 years after he vanished without trace Shayne Eves Colaco, 33, disappeared after setting off for a walk alone in the summer of 2012 Psychiatrist Shayne Colaco went missing on the Carneddau mountains in the summer of 2012 (Image: North Wales Police ) The circumstances surrounding the unsolved disappearance of a successful doctor who vanished without trace and was later declared dead have finally become clear. In 2012 psychiatrist Shayne Eves Colaco, 33, disappeared while walking in Eryri, leaving behind only his parked car near Ogwen Cottage and an intended route plan. Having driven to Wales from the Stoke-on-Trent region he began walking towards 3,209ft Pen yr Ole Wen but he was never seen again. Despite numerous "cold case" reviews by Staffordshire Police Shayne's disappearance remained a mystery and he was declared dead six years later, NorthWalesLive reports. The case remained unsolved until a series of remarkable coincidences unfolded following another tragic incident 12 years later. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. On January 9, 2024, David Brookfield, 65, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, also vanished while walking alone in the Carneddau mountains. Article continues below David Brookfield, 65, was found four months after disappearing (Image: North Wales Police ) A massive search operation was launched involving mountain rescuers, a coastguard helicopter, drones, and dogs but it initially yielded no results. However, in a surprising turn of events, the search for David led to the discovery of Shayne's remains, finally bringing closure to the mystery of his disappearance. Four months on, on May 10, 2024, a blue jacket was spotted in the Ogwen Valley by a coastguard helicopter crew. The discovery was purely fortuitous as they were conducting a routine training exercise. It is believed that David, while descending from the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen, entered the wide mouth of a gully where he fell and sustained serious injuries. When his body and belongings were being recovered mountain rescue volunteers stumbled upon something that would finally illuminate what had happened to Shayne. Sgt Paul Terry, of the North Wales Police drone unit, recounted the sequence of events. "While we were carrying out the investigation process into David's death a mountain rescue team member found a jacket about five metres further down the gully," he said. Shayne Colaco's jacket was discovered on Pen yr Ole Wen during the recovery of David Brookfield's body (Image: North Wales Police ) "The jacket didn't seem to fit with the picture of what we were investigating. It was an older jacket, one that seemed to have been there for some time, and inside the pocket was a car key. "Deep in the memory of this rescue team was Shayne Colaco who had gone missing in the same area 12 years earlier." Sgt Terry began investigating what Shayne had been wearing and what car he had been driving at the time he went missing. He said: "I was quite amazed to find that the jacket was very similar to the one Shayne was wearing the day he went missing. Following further investigations we managed to confirm the key in the pocket was the key to Shayne's car – a Fiat Seicento. "Suddenly we realised we may have a clue as to where he may have been all this time." After Shayne's possessions were found, a specialist mountain rescue drone operator conducted additional searches on Pen yr Ole Wen to locate his remains. Sgt Terry continued: "As the drone pilot stood in the spot where we had recovered David something quite incredible happened. "He spotted a piece of fabric under some brush and the debris that had washed down the gully and, quite incredibly, realised that he had also found the remains of Shayne Colaco. Sgt Paul Terry of the North Wales Police drone unit (Image: North Wales Police ) "What's really so amazing about this story is that so many of the people involved in searching for David had also been involved in the searches 12 years before for Shayne. "One of the winchmen who located David from the helicopter was also part of RAF 22 Squadron looking for Shayne 12 years earlier. "This brings so many people together around two really sad stories but it shows the amazing willingness and determination of volunteers and the emergency services to find both these men." Sgt Terry said both men were experienced hikers who had prepared well but warned that "it's always possible that something will go wrong". He said: "Eryri is an incredible place, it's beautiful, and on a good day the mountains look achievable and accessible. But it's important to understand the scale of these hills and the impact of weather – and how quickly it can change. Article continues below "In both these cases David and Shayne ended up in ground which really is very dangerous, which might have seemed inviting from the summit, but as it got steeper and more broken it became harder." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.


North Wales Live
17-06-2025
- North Wales Live
Mystery of doctor missing in Eryri for 12 years has finally been solved
The mystery disappearance of a doctor who vanished without trace after setting off for a walk in Eryri (Snowdonia) has finally been unravelled. Psychiatrist Shayne Eves Colaco, 33, was about to start a new job when he vanished while walking alone in the summer of 2012. After driving from the Stoke-on-Trent area, Shayne parked up near Ogwen Cottage and began walking towards 3,209ft Pen yr Ole Wen. Despite leaving information about his intended route, he never returned to his car and was never seen again. Staffordshire Police conducted periodic 'cold case' reviews but it appeared he had simply vanished into thin air. Six years after he went missing he was declared dead. Despite a massive search operation, his body was never found. The mystery would only be resolved by a series of remarkable coincidences following another tragedy 12 years later. On January 9, 2024, David Brookfield, 65, of Skelmersdale, Lancashire, also went missing while walking alone in the Carneddau mountains. He'd sent a WhatsApp message to his wife from the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn. After that, no further contact was received. Again, another huge search operation was launched involving mountain rescuers, a coastguard helicopter, drones and dogs. For a while, this too drew a blank. Four months later, on May 10, 2024, a coastguard helicopter crew spotted a blue jacket in the Ogwen Valley. The discovery was a stroke of luck - they'd been carrying out a routine training exercise. During his descent from the top of Pen yr Ole Wen, it is believed David entered the broad mouth of a gully where he fell and became seriously injured. When his body and possessions were being recovered, mountain rescue volunteers made a discovery that would finally shed light on what had happened to Shayne. Sgt Paul Terry of the North Wales Police drone unit, recalled the chain of events. 'While we were carrying out the investigation process into David's death, a mountain rescue team member found a jacket about five metres further down the gully,' he said. 'The jacket didn't seem to fit with the picture of what we were investigating. It was an older jacket, one that seemed to have been there for some time and inside the pocket was a car key. 'Deep in the memory of this rescue team was Shayne Colaco, who had gone missing in the same area 12 years earlier.' Sgt Terry began investigating what Shayne had been wearing and what car he had been driving at the time he went missing. He added: 'I was quite amazed to find that the jacket was very similar to the one Shayne was wearing the day he went missing. Following further investigations, we managed to confirm the key in the pocket was the key to Shayne's car, a Fiat Seicento. 'Suddenly, we realised we may have a clue as to where he may have been all this time.' Following the discovery of Shayne's belongings, a specialist mountain rescue drone operator carried out further searches on Pen yr Ole Wen in a bid to find his body. Sgt Terry added: 'As the drone pilot stood in the spot where we had recovered David, something quite incredible happened. 'He noticed a piece of fabric under some brush and the detritus that had washed down the gully - and quite incredibly, realised that he had also discovered the remains of Shayne Colaco. 'What's really so amazing about this story is that so many of the people involved in searching for David had also been involved in the searches 12 years before for Shayne. 'One of the winchmen who located David from the helicopter was also part of RAF 22 Squadron looking for Shayne 12 years earlier. 'This brings so many people together around two really sad stories, but it shows the amazing willingness and determination of volunteers and the emergency services to find both these men.' Incredibly, both men had died and remained undiscovered for some time in almost the same spot. North Wales Police shared details of the two incidents in the hope they would highlight the dangers of walking in Eryri. Sgt Terry explained David and Shane were both experienced walkers who were well prepared. 'It's always possible that something will go wrong,' he said. 'Eryri is an incredible place, it's beautiful, and on a good day, the mountains look achievable and accessible. But it's important to understand the scale of these hills and the impact of weather – and how quickly it can change. 'In both these cases, David and Shane ended up in ground which really is very dangerous, which might have seemed inviting from the summit, but as it got steeper and more broken, it became harder." Sgt Terry knows all too well the perils that await – in his spare time he himself volunteers for a local mountain rescue team. 'I volunteer because it's incredible, it's an amazing adventure and it brings value to other people's lives,' he said. 'Where somebody has passed away, helping to bring them off the mountains and back to their families and loved ones is a massive privilege. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'We want you to come and enjoy these beautiful mountains in Eryri, it is amazing but come and be safe and enjoy it. I have a very simple safety message - be prepared.' Mountain safety advice Understand your limitations. Educate yourself on how to walk in the mountain safely. Understand the route that you're taking. Have a communication plan. If you change your plans, let somebody know. Know your descent route. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for mountain rescue. Ensure you have the right clothing for the weather. Have plenty of food and drink, particularly if it's hot. Wear bright coloured clothes to help locate you. Ensure your phone is fully charged. Find the weather forecast where you live
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NBC's ‘Destination X' Season 1, Episode 2 Recap: ‘Remember the Game You're Playing'
Alliances were tested, enemies were made and one player learned that there's no playing nice on the quest to win that $250,000 cash prize. On the second episode of Destination X, the contestants were already beginning to get comfortable with their new life on the bus – and some got even cozier than others as they headed to their next location. 'It's just like a massive, 24/7 sleepover,' Ally Bross said in a confessional. 'I'm really starting to like everyone. I flirt with Shayne [Cureton] all the time and I think he's gorgeous.' Meanwhile, Shayne was more focused on fellow competitor Biggy Bailey as they discussed the possibility of forming an alliance. 'Bro, this is a game where I need to trust in you to do what we gotta do to save each other,' he explained. In a confessional, the model said his strategy was 'all social' because he didn't know a lot about European culture. Noting that he thought Biggy seemed like a 'trustworthy dude,' Shayne admitted that if he didn't make him an ally, he could 'end up being one of the biggest threats in the game.' And speaking of threats, Rick Szabo felt the sting after former player Josh Martinez threw his name under the bus on his way home. Fans remember that Rick told the Big Brother alum he thought they were in Milan, Italy, in the last episode, causing him to be sent home after choosing their location incorrectly in the map room. 'I wasn't trying to mislead anybody,' Rick said. 'I wanna share secrets, I wanna share clues, because right now, info is power.' It's safe to say no one was eager to team up with the professional bird watcher just yet. On their first stop of the day, the contestants found themselves on a snow-covered mountain. Before they had the chance to truly take in their surroundings, host Jeffrey Dean Morgan issued their first challenge. "Players, you are stranded at 10,000 feet on top of a mountain somewhere in Europe. So, your challenge today is to light a fire to signal my rescue helicopter,' he said. 'The good news is everything you need to build that fire is right there on the mountainside. The bad news is … I buried it.' The three teams were tasked with finding clues that pointed to specific countries, but were warned that some of the hints were red herrings that would lead them to uncovering poor fire-building tools. Mack and her team initially went for the clues leading them to France, while Tai suspected they were in Germany. In the end, Rick, Ally and Rachel's team came out triumphant and earned their first clue … and it was a big one! The winning players earned a helicopter ride above the mountain, giving them a fuller scope of where in the world they were. During their trip, they circled the Sphinx Observatory, an international research station located in Jungfraujoch, but since they didn't immediately recognize it, their biggest clue came when they saw the flag of Switzerland. Rachel suggested that they tell the others everything they saw 'that's true' – except for the flag. Despite her teammate's advice, Ally later decided to pull Tai into the fold by telling her everything that they saw. In an attempt to fix his bad reputation, Rick also secretly told Biggy and Shayne that they were in Switzerland … but Shayne wasn't falling for his show of good faith. 'To me, Rick is a lost puppy,' the model said. 'He's loyal to everybody which means he's loyal to no one.' Their next challenge led the players to a town nestled among sprawling green hills. They sat at a large table filled with food in front of a small home. 'Dear players, it's time to play a little game to decide who is going to the map room later,' a letter found on the table read. 'And it's not up to me. It's up to you.' Shayne offered to be the first to go into the house to face his challenge and was met with a wide array of random objects scattered throughout the abode, including a pocket knife, a sports jersey, pictures of Jennifer Aniston and Eva Longoria and the gamemaster himself! Jeffrey told Shayne that as a reward for his brave decision to go first, he could choose five of his fellow players to put into the map room. He picked Rachel, Mack, Jonah, Biggy and Ally. Tai and Ally went next for their challenge and found Jeffrey sitting behind a set of 10 bells. 'I'm going to ring these bells in a sequence. Your job is to remember the sequence,' he told them. 'If you remember five, you can swap one player [from the map room]. If you remember all ten then you can swap two.' Tai and Ally were successful and choose to put both Rick and Kimberly in the map room. Next, Biggy, Rachel and Mack also got all 10 bells correct. They decide to save Biggy and Rachel, and put Tai and Ally into the map room. Jonah was less successful on his own and only swapped one name – but he struggled with the idea of potentially sending another player home. 'My name's up there and if I move it, it means I'm putting someone else in there and I really don't wanna do that.' He finally decided to swap his name for Mack. Last, Kim and Rick took their turn. They also got all of the bells correct and chose to put Rachel and Jonah in the map room. That left Mack, Jonah, Tai, Rachel and Ally in the map room. On their last leg of their journey for the day on the Destination X bus, Jonah still wasn't certain where they were and sought out friendship from Shayne and Ally. Shayne told him that they were in Switzerland, but Ally purposely misled him into thinking that they were in Bern rather than Geneva. 'It's hard because he's had a really tough time, but I gotta try to win this,' Ally explained in a confessional. 'I need to do well in the map room.' In the end, Jonah trusted Ally and was eliminated. As they exited the Destination X bus, Jeffrey said it was "strangely fitting" that Jonah, the "most peaceful person" on the bus was leaving the show in Switzerland," a land known for its "peace and neutrality." Before he left, he did let Jonah know that Ally placed her X in Geneva — not Bern, revealing her betrayal. Watch Destination X on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC or catch it streaming the next day on Peacock.
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-header-siem-reap-cambodia-SOLDITALLAT550525-3a5c5f3dff8241a5a4af6c5fafb7fc31.jpg&w=3840&q=100)

Travel + Leisure
03-06-2025
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
My Husband and I Sold Everything at 55 Years Old and Found a Fuller Life Traveling the World for Under $3,000 a Month
When we locked the door to our family home for the last time, I didn't feel brave. I felt as though everything I'd ever known was slipping away, piece by piece. But the truth was, it was time for something different, something bigger. My hand lingered on the doorknob, the weight of what we were doing pressing on my chest. This house was where we raised our four daughters, hosted countless birthday and holiday dinners, and watched our nine grandkids run barefoot through the backyard and splash in the pool. Now, it was empty—sold, along with our cars, our furniture, and even the physical therapy business we'd spent years building. My husband, Shayne, and I exchanged a glance, almost daring the other to change their mind. Honestly, I almost did. But it was too late. We were empty nesters in our 50s, who'd spent years building a business, a home, and a life in Arizona. But at some point, it all started to feel heavy—not bad, just predictable. It was like we were living the same Tuesday on repeat. So we traded it all for two suitcases, a backpack, one-way tickets to Bali, and a dream we couldn't fully explain: to see the world slowly, intentionally, and on a limited budget. We weren't retired. We weren't trust-fund babies. We were just determined to squeeze every drop of meaning from the time we had left. But standing on that porch with the keys in my hand, I didn't feel bold. I felt terrified. The Leap Posing in front of the Eiffel Tower and at the Gembleng Waterfall in Bali, Indonesia. Shelly Peterson/Travel + Leisure The decision didn't come overnight. It began as a whisper—an idea we tossed around during vacations, long walks around our neighborhood, and while floating in the pool. But the whisper grew louder, and soon, I found myself thinking more and more about my mom, Sandy. She had always dreamed of traveling once she retired. She even mapped out trips to work on her passion for genealogy, but she passed away from cancer just eight months before that day ever came. That truth haunted me. It reminded me we were all waiting too long—for the grandkids to grow, for the business to settle, for the mythical 'right time' that never arrives with a calendar invite. So, one day, we stopped waiting. We launched Jet Set Club, a business that sends daily international flight deals to our subscribers, helping them find affordable ways to explore the world. Along with our travel blog, Jetset Petersons, we created a small income stream that allowed us to continue living our dream. We sold everything, cut our expenses to the bone, and used our savings to fund this adventure. We tracked every dollar and vowed to live with a lot less. After a while, we realized we missed having a "home base" when we returned to the U.S., and the cost of renting Airbnbs was adding up. So we bought a small condo, which we use when we're in town and rent out on Airbnb when we're not. We started in Bali, where we rented a villa with a private pool for $900 a month. We swapped Target runs for market stalls, dinner dates with $1 noodles at warungs, and errands in the car for scooter rides through the jungle to discover waterfalls. At first, it was unnerving. We didn't speak the language, we had no plan beyond the next month, and we didn't even know if we'd like it. But in the stillness, something shifted. We were living with less—and somehow feeling more. Moments That Changed Us Cruising along Vietnam's Ha Long Bay and while exploring the streets of Spain. Shelly Peterson/Travel + Leisure Travel didn't just change how we saw the world—it changed how we moved through it. In Thailand, we woke to the sound of birds, the air thick with jasmine—a simplicity that felt more profound than anything we had ever known back home. We learned to ride scooters (barely), take off our shoes before entering temples, and how to spot the best khao soi in a sea of food stalls. With just two suitcases each, we felt lighter—physically and emotionally—than we had in years. In Spain, we traveled slowly through neighborhoods instead of tourist attractions. We bought fruit at the market, ate dinner at 10 p.m., and got lost in the Gothic Quarter more times than we could count. We weren't on vacation—we were just living differently. Life felt slower. Sharper. In France, we wandered through charming neighborhoods, enjoying quiet moments in tiny cafes, savoring the simple joy of a fresh, buttery croissant. In Paris, we strolled along the Seine, taking in the beauty of the city's art, architecture, and culture while averaging mor ethan 20,000 steps a day. It was there that we truly understood the beauty of unhurried living—the way the French do it so effortlessly. Not every moment went as planned. Take the time we misread the visa requirements for Vietnam and had to make a last-minute detour to Cambodia. We landed with no hotel, no itinerary, and absolutely no clue—yet somehow, we ended up at a charming boutique inn where the staff treated us like old friends. We visited Angkor Wat three days in a row, awestruck by its beauty. It turned into one of those happy surprises that made the journey all the more unforgettable. Turns out, the best memories aren't the ones we plan. They're the ones that catch us by surprise and remind us how adaptable—and deeply human—we all are. What We Gave Up—and Gained A Peterson family beach photo. Shelly Peterson/Travel + Leisure People often ask us what the hardest part is. It's not the long flights, the unfamiliar languages, or even the money. It's missing our people. We left behind four daughters, nine grandkids, lifelong friends, and the comfort of a family and home we'd spent years building. We miss birthdays, soccer games, and dance recitals. We miss Sunday dinners, messy art projects, and bedtime giggles when babysitting the grandkids. Sometimes, the grief of that distance sneaks in quietly—over a blurry FaceTime call or an empty chair at the holiday table. But what we've gained is something precious: presence. Without the noise of a busy life, we listen better—to each other and to ourselves. Our mornings are slow and full of conversation. We've laughed more in the past two years than we did in the 10 before. We've argued less. We've marveled more. We've also redefined what 'home' means. It's not a zip code or a mortgage. Home is wherever we feel peace—whether we're savoring street food in Amsterdam, wandering rice terraces in Bali, or standing hand-in-hand at the edge of the South Pacific Sea, wondering how we ever lived so small in such a big, beautiful world. We've been married for 36 years, and through it all—raising kids, building businesses, and now traveling the world—we've learned how to support each other in ways we never imagined. Every adventure, every challenge, has only strengthened our bond, reminding us the best part of this journey is doing it together. Living With Intention at Home Coming home briefly to the U.S. a few times a year is always a reminder of how much we've changed. Where once we rushed through errands, appointments, and the usual whirlwind of daily life, we now approach these moments with more intention. We spend more time with family, relishing the conversations and moments that used to get lost in the noise. We're more thoughtful about what we purchase, what we prioritize, and how we spend our time. We've learned that the quality of time matters far more than the quantity, whether we're at a family gathering or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon at home. Our travels taught us that life is about the moments in between, and now, we bring that mindset home, making every day feel just a little more meaningful. The Life We Didn't Know We Were Waiting For Here we are, two years later. We've traveled to 14 countries, lived on less than $3,000 a month, and found a life that's less about checking boxes and more about saying 'yes' and collecting moments. This isn't just a story about travel—it's about permission. The kind you give yourself to start over at any age. To trade comfort for curiosity. To realize it's never too late—or too expensive—to choose a life that finally feels like yours. We didn't just downsize our belongings. We downsized the pressure, the pace, and the expectations that once defined us. It wasn't easy at first, but letting go of those old definitions of success made room for something more meaningful: joy, growth, and a deeper connection to each other and the world around us. What we've learned is that the life we were truly waiting for wasn't found in a place or in things—it was found in the choice to live with intention, to say "yes" to what truly matters, and to embrace the unknown together, with open arms.