Dear Husband and I have a long-running joke about the fact that he seems to constantly lead me down back alleys. What can I say? The man loves a good shortcut. But he’s the only person on earth that I’d walk into an alley with. (Well, I did balk at going down one in Chicago with him, but that’s only because there was a woman standing next to a dumpster therein, and she looked like she was straight out of central casting for a zombie movie.)
That got me thinking about the many places I’ve been that I’d never have gone to were it not for someone I cared about. Recently, I went to Lawrence, Kansas and South Bend, Indiana, for example. Not that there’s anything wrong with these places. In fact, I am very glad I had both experiences. It’s just that it would never have personally occurred to me to visit them.
I’ve also been so deep in the Smokey Mountains and the Appalachians that I was beyond any incorporated town. I’ve been to Hell’s Gate, Canada and lived to tell the tale. I’ve been to Penjamo, Mexico, and you’ve never heard of it for good reason.
I also recently found myself in Holden, Missouri, population 2,300, which, no offense to all Holdenites, should have been named the Back of Freakin’ Beyond. Farm country. I was there for an outdoor wedding which played out during an unrelenting downpour, with lightning striking all around us. But it was a very special occasion that we’ll never forget. Having survived it, I’m eternally grateful for having been there.
I would never have been to these places and had all these incredible experiences if it weren’t for the special people in my life. We all try to make plans, but life can be incredibly random. What a gift.
Granted, some places I’ve returned to multiple times when one would have been sufficient. Seventeen of my eighteen trips to Disney World spring to mind. (But when you live in Central Florida, every time a friend or relative visits, where do you think they want to go?)
And then there were the many times I rode roller coasters when I really didn’t want to, in order to maintain my reputation as the cool aunt. But I have to admit, lordy, what a rush! I would never do it on my own, but I’m glad I did it.
I could also write several blog posts about things I’ve done for the mere possibility of love. But some things are better left unsaid. (One of the best things about writing a blog is that you don’t have to make yourself look like a fool if you don’t want to.)
Everywhere you’ve been, whether it be good, bad, or ugly, has value, Dear Reader. These experiences help make you the person that you are. “Oh, the places you’ll go!” said Seuss, and he was absolutely right.
Heck, I’ve even stepped out on a narrow ledge with a 1,000-foot drop to rescue a puppy. (You can read about that here.) Technically, the puppy wasn’t a loved one. We had only just met. But, oh, he could have been…
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