My blog today comes from a place of gratitude, reflection, and~ if I’m being honest, a foggy head from a cold that decided to tag along after I got home.
(🐿️ She’s dramatic. It’s a cold, not the plague.)
My daughter and Paul’s wedding in Maui was everything I hoped it would be for them… and more. It was beautiful, meaningful, and full of moments I’ll carry with me forever. But what surprised me was how much the people we met along the way became part of the story too.
There’s something about Maui that opens people up. Conversations felt easier, smiles came quicker, and connections just seemed to happen naturally.
(🐿️ Her daughter will tell you she talks to almost anyone sometimes. We can confirm.)
Ornery Kindness & a Mystery Gift
There were a few moments where I felt just a little… spoiled~and maybe slightly suspicious.
At one point, my daughter and Kim convinced me (no, instructed me) to go to a resin clock‑making activity. It sounded fun~and it was~but what made it unforgettable was that neither of them would admit who paid for me.
To this day, I still don’t know who to thank… which feels intentional, and I love them both for their ornery kindness.
(🐿️ She bragged about those two ornery girls the entire time. We heard it. Repeatedly.)
Throughout the trip, there were so many small, thoughtful gestures~drinks picked up, meals shared and bought, little kindnesses that didn’t go unnoticed.
(🐿️ She tried to solve the mystery. She failed. We enjoyed watching.)
The 3:00 a.m. Adventure
And then… there was our Haleakalā Sunrise Best Guided Bike Tour.
A group of us signed up, and while the sunrise was stunning, what I remember most is the ride back down. All but two people in our group chose not to bike down the mountain.
Barb and I did not.
Because really ~ who else besides us two moms was going to look out for everyone properly? 😄
(🐿️ Translation: they didn’t trust the others to behave unsupervised.)
Our driver was amazing, but I like to think we helped keep him in check… although he was just as ornery and fun as we were. Then the bike guide traded spots and drove us for a bit, and yes, he fit right in, too.
There were three guys total, and every single one of them matched the energy: fun, playful, and just the right amount of ornery.
(🐿️ We approve of this chaos. It was tasteful chaos.)
Honestly, Barb and I should count ourselves lucky. They had us in a white van at 3:00 in the morning. I’m pretty sure I’ve been mentally preparing for this moment for a while now. I only ask that my jacket have some bling and the buckles in the back be velcro, because I’ll probably clean and care for the other patients to stay busy.
(🐿️ She has. We’ve seen the signs.)
Once we made it back, another guy we hadn’t met told me to have a good day… and to behave.
Now, where in the world would he have gotten that idea 🤣
(🐿️ We might’ve told him.)
The Magic of Small Moments
It’s those in‑between moments~the laughter, the kindness, the unexpected fun~that stay with you long after the trip is over.
And of course… a few special little travelers came along too.
Several copies of Modo and Jiblet made the trip. One found its way into the hands of a little boy on the plane, another to a sweet little girl, and a few were gifted to staff at the resort.
(🐿️ We supervised the gifting. We approve of spreading the love.)
One day, I hope I can hand out free books just because. It may take time, but I’m working towards it
(🐿️ Manifest it. We’ll help. We’re small but mighty.)
A Little Piece of Grandma Bernice
There was one more thing I carried with me on this trip ~ something small, something simple, and something that’s always meant a lot to me.
My Little Grandma Bernice’s Hawaii coin purse.
She brought it back from her own trip over 40 years ago, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve kept it safely tucked away.
From the moment this trip was talked about, I knew I was taking the coin purse with me. It honestly had to go; I wouldn’t have felt right leaving it behind. It felt like I was bringing her with me.
Throughout the trip, I shared the story of that little coin purse with the amazing staff at the resort I met, strangers who became friends
(🐿️ We guarded the coin purse. We took this job very seriously.)
I think she would’ve loved that.
(🐿️ She definitely would’ve told at least three strangers about it. Runs in the family.
Coming Home to Chaos & Community
Coming home was a different kind of adventure.
Between travel exhaustion, weather, and a tornado moving through my town, it was a whirlwind of worry.
(🐿️ She didn’t sleep. We tried to tell her to rest. She ignored us.)
Our homes were safe, but many families in the community weren’t as fortunate. There was damage and loss, but also something incredibly powerful: people showing up for one another.
(🐿️ Humans can be pretty great sometimes.)
Somewhere in the middle of this, I came down with a cold that completely wiped me out.
(🐿️ We told her. She didn’t listen. Again.)
Then, just when I thought my heart couldn’t feel any fuller, my daughter and son‑in‑law surprised me with a delivery of: “Get Well” balloon, a candy bouquet, and two small desserts.
(🐿️ We approve of these children. Keep them.)
A Shift in Perspective
Looking back, I realize something shifted for me on this trip.
I used to say, “This is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime trip.”
I won’t say that anymore.
Instead, I’ll say this: I’ll be back.
(🐿️ We’re already packing.)
When I was presented with a Kukui nut lei, I learned that when you return, you add a white Kukui nut to your lei~continuing your story. And I fully plan to do just that one day.
No more limiting beliefs.
It may take practice, but I truly believe this: anything is possible.
(🐿️ Yes. Even us behaving. But don’t count on that one.)
The past few years have taught me a lot—some hard lessons, some beautiful ones—but through it all, I’ve learned that life isn’t about having everything perfectly together.
Sometimes it’s about living right in the middle of it all…
the joy, the chaos, the setbacks, the growth.
The messy middle.
And maybe that’s where the magic really happens.
(🐿️ We live in the messy middle. It’s cozy here.)
Places & Activities I Loved in Maui
If you ever get the chance to visit, here are a few experiences I highly recommend:
- Outrigger Resort — Beautiful property with amazing staff
- Haleakalā Sunrise Best Guided Bike Tour with Bike Maui
- Molokini & Turtle Town Snorkeling aboard Pride of Maui
- Wailele Luau with Fire & Knife Performance and Dinner
(🐿️ We would also like to recommend: more snacks, more naps, and more trips where she talks to strangers.)
