A Pilot's Daughter

A day in the life of an ever adventurous family and curious soul.

September of my Junior year in High School. I got a call from my dad, waking me up from my deep deep basic teenager sleep-in habits. I answered, in which he asked if I had just woken up. (I lied of course to avoid being letcured on how I'm wasting half my day). Anyways, the words I remember so clearly from him were, "Would you want to go to Rome with me today?" Ummm. Dad. Are you REALLY asking if it's that inconveinant for me to get my stuff together and go across the world with you?

No surprise - I said YES.

Waiting for my flight out of Columbus, my Dad shot me another text telling me to look out for a girl around my age who we'd be traveling with. Her mom, Bobbi, is a flight attendant for United - like my Dad - and has long been family friends with my parents. Minutes later I heard a "Caroline?" I look up to see the girl. WAIT?! I KNOW you - I thought to myself. The funniest thing about this was that I had played lacrosse with her, Emily, over the summer for Midwestern Force. Small world.

After going to Washington to meet our parents, we all flew to Rome. I always get super excited to annoy the passengers next to me by telling them my Dad is the one they hear over the speaker. "Did you hear that? That's MY dad." How lame of me, but cool at the same time. Emily and I enjoyed ourselves in business class, while our parents worked.

After the flight, we all took naps then headed out to tour, stopping at all the regular spots. The food was absolutly delicious in Italy; we had cappuccinos, pizza, gelato... definitly kept my energy up. My favorite area was the Foutain of Four Rivers. It was flooded with artists and beautiful architecture. You could say this trip to Rome made me feel a bit like Lizzie McGuire, especially when we visted the Trevi Fountain. There were even some men dressed up as gladiators for entertainment.

After a short 26 hours in Italy though, we headed back to the States. I mean, I had school to get back to!! Couldn't piss off my teachers for too long! But, that's my life. That's my family's life. Maybe a spontaneous trip here... a trip there... connecting with the flight crew... meeting a passenger who opens up to you about their ex during an 8 hour flight, because you've just gotten that close.

Traveling brings so many different opportunities. It's so important, it fuels creativity, it opens your mind, it helps you to appreciate other's differences... I could go on and on about it. As if you really need another excuse to go adventure. Take my advice on life and please, please, please, go. Explore the world. Can't afford? Put a dollar in a jar each day to save up for it. That's a trip across the United States right there. Airbnb is also a great thing! Cheap, and six months after this short trip to Rome, my older brother Nick studied abroad in Florence. Long story short my whole family returned to Rome and we stayed in a BEAUTIFUL cheap Airbnb apartment. But really, pack your bags... make the time... take the time... explore. Live. Travel.

XOXO,

~M~

#rome #italy #united #family #travel