Check It Out: 20 Moments from Maddie’s Ultimate Trip to Paradise

Mondays hit differently after a long, well-spent vacation.

As I unpack and attempt to shift my brain back into work mode, I find myself reaching for my phone to scroll through the dozens of photos I took on my recent trip to Curacao to relive all the wonderful moments spent with my husband.

To be transparent, it has been a trying year for my family. We have dealt with a lot of grief and a lot of obstacles. More often than not, it has felt like I have a first-class ticket to a never-ending roller coaster.

It was time to get off the ride and try to reset, relax, and recharge.

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I understand that a trip to another country isn’t always possible, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to explore the world with my husband. There was a little voice inside of me that kept asking, “Can we even afford this? Are you sure we can take a trip?” but the other voice was much louder.

That voice was begging for a break. That voice kept saying, “We could use some palm trees and sunshine right now.”

After a full day of travel, we arrived at Kontiki Beach Resort, where a fresh coconut drink was waiting for us. The views didn’t seem real. Miles of clear, blue sky matched the aquamarine water below. The heat hit just right and so did the laid-back vibes that seem to blanket the entire island.

Now that I’m home, I have a scrapbook of photos to remember the wonderful time spent.

Want to take a peek? Keep scrolling.