Eleven Years Later, Somewhere on the Road

Eleven Years Later, Somewhere on the Road

Two and a half weeks into our year-long road trip, we celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary somewhere between destinations, packed into our RV with three kids, a sink full of dishes, and shoes scattered across the floor.

And honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

A year ago, if you would have asked me what I pictured for an anniversary, it probably would have involved a quiet dinner, and a little uninterrupted conversation.

Instead, this year looked a lot different. We spent the day at the campsite, thinking about traveling, managing snack requests, breaking up sibling arguments, playing card games and figuring out where we were parking for the night at the next stop.

But somewhere in the middle of all the chaos, I realized this anniversary perfectly reflects the life we’ve built together over the last eleven years.

It hasn’t always been neat or predictable.

It has been full of learning as we go, changing plans, long days, laughter, challenges, and a whole lot of teamwork.

And now here we are — two and a half weeks into a one-year adventure around the country with our three kids.

That sentence still feels a little unreal.

There have already been moments where things felt hard. We’re still adjusting to smaller spaces, different routines, and constantly being on the move. Some days feel smooth and exciting. Other days feel exhausting before lunch.

But there have also been moments I know we’ll remember forever.

Watching the kids wake up in a new place.

Eating dinner outside while the sun drops behind mountains.

Morning Coffee with you, and no time schedule.

Exploring places we’ve only ever seen in pictures.

Laughing together in a tiny RV because nobody has anywhere else to go.

This trip has already stripped life down to what matters most. We don’t have all the extra distractions or comforts we’re used to at home. Instead, we have time together. A lot of it.

And that can be both beautiful and challenging.

Eleven years ago, when we got married, I don’t think either of us could have imagined this version of life. Back then we were just starting out, trying to figure out who we were going to become together. Now we’re loading up our entire family and driving across the country chasing experiences, memories, and a slower way of living.

Somehow, this road trip feels like an extension of marriage itself.

You make plans.

Some work out.

Some don’t.

You hit unexpected detours.

You get tired.

You keep moving anyway.

And hopefully, at the end of it all, you look back and realize the best part was never the destination. It was building a life together along the way.

This anniversary wasn’t fancy.

There were no reservations.

No dressed-up date night.

No perfect uninterrupted evening.

But there was gratitude.

Gratitude for eleven years.

Gratitude for the family we’ve built.

Gratitude for a husband willing to take a risk and chase this dream together.

And gratitude that our kids get to witness all of it firsthand.

Someday, they probably won’t remember every stop on this trip. They won’t remember every campground or every mile driven.

But I hope they remember this feeling.

The feeling of being together.

The feeling of choosing adventure.

The feeling of building a life centered around time instead of routine.

Two and a half weeks down.

Eleven years married.

And a whole lot of road still ahead of us.

I put together a full blog post that captures the emotion, chaos, and meaning of celebrating your 11th anniversary at the start of your year-long family road trip.

-Kayla

Eleven Years Later, Somewhere on the Road

Eleven Years Later, Somewhere on the Road

Lyman Lake State Park

Petrified Forest National Park