Making Memories Before High School Begins
Time Is Moving Too Fast
There are trips you take because you want to explore somewhere new.
There are trips you take because you need a vacation.
And then there are trips you take because you realize time isn’t slowing down.
This was one of those trips.
It’s not often I travel without Tracey, but when I do, it’s usually for something special.
In just a few short weeks, Caitlynn would begin high school.
How was that even possible?
It felt like only yesterday I was holding her as a baby, completely in love with the little girl who had stolen my heart. Now she was preparing for a whole new chapter of life, and I couldn’t help but realize these opportunities for one-on-one adventures were becoming fewer and farther between.
So when a long weekend presented itself—and I happened to have an airline credit—we decided to take a girls’ trip to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends, Laura, in beautiful Napa Valley.
Sometimes memories are the very best investment.
Teaching Independence, One Step at a Time
Although this trip was meant to be fun, it also served another purpose.
Just a few weeks later, Caitlynn would be boarding her very first flight alone to visit a friend in Wisconsin.
Rather than simply lead the way through the airport like I normally would, I decided she would be in charge.
She found our gate…She led us through the terminal….She handled TSA…She watched the departure boards.
I quietly followed behind, stepping in only when absolutely necessary.
Watching her confidently navigate Phoenix Sky Harbor made me realize she wasn’t the little girl I still pictured in my mind.
She was growing into a confident young woman.
As hard as that is for a mom to admit…
It also made me incredibly proud.
The Best Part of Flying
First class wasn’t something we normally splurged on.
But thanks to airline credits and free checked bags, it made perfect sense this time.
Besides…
Who doesn’t enjoy a little extra legroom?
The flight itself turned into one of my favorite parts of the entire trip.
No phones…No homework…No friends texting…No skating schedule.
Just the two of us.
We talked…We laughed…We watched a couple episodes of The Big Bang Theory.
Most importantly, Caitlynn opened up about her upcoming solo trip, sharing both her excitement and her fears.
Those conversations don’t always happen at home.
Sometimes all it takes is being 35,000 feet in the air with nowhere else to be.
A Memorable Arrival
After a smooth flight into Oakland, we met our driver.
Let’s just say…
She was memorable.
She talked almost nonstop.
Asked us how to get to the destination.
Needed to use my phone for directions.
And somehow managed to make what should have been a relaxing ride just a little more adventurous than expected.
By the time we reached Napa, I was more than ready to see Laura waiting on her front porch.
One hug from an old friend made the drive instantly worthwhile.
Laura welcomed us with sparkling water for Caitlynn, wine for the adults, and enough snacks to convince us we might never need dinner.
It already felt like home.
Shopping, Warriors Style
The next morning began with one of Laura’s wonderful homemade breakfasts before we headed out on our first adventure.
There was one important mission.
Find Caitlynn a Golden State Warriors shirt.
As lifelong basketball fans know, a Warriors fan can’t simply settle for the first shirt they see.
Fortunately, we found exactly what she was looking for.
Laura even found one for herself.
Mission accomplished.
Sweet Memories at Jelly Belly
One stop I’d been looking forward to sharing with Caitlynn was the Jelly Belly Factory.
I’d visited before, but watching someone experience it for the very first time is almost as much fun as your own first visit.
We sampled jelly beans.
Watched the factory in action.
Played interactive games.
Learned how all those tiny colorful candies are made.
Then we stumbled upon something neither of us expected.
A chocolate and wine pairing.
How could we possibly say no?
The chocolates and fudge were delicious.
The wines…
Well…
Let’s just say they weren’t exactly our favorites.
Thankfully, the experience was worth it anyway—and we each left with a souvenir wine glass to remember it by.
Of course, no visit to Jelly Belly would be complete without spending far too much time wandering through the gift shop.
Who knew there could be so many flavors of jelly beans?
Or so many things decorated with them?
More Than a Trip
As I looked across the table at my daughter throughout the weekend, I couldn’t help but realize something.
The destination almost didn’t matter.
Yes, Napa is beautiful.
Yes, the wineries, rolling vineyards, and charming downtown make it a wonderful place to visit.
But this trip wasn’t really about Napa.
It was about pressing pause on life for a few days.
It was about uninterrupted conversations.
Teaching independence.
Laughing together.
Making memories before another season of life quietly slipped away.
High school was only weeks away.
Life would become busier.
Schedules would fill.
Friends would become an even bigger part of her world.
But for one long weekend…
I got my little girl all to myself.
And that may have been the greatest souvenir I brought home from Napa.