Bora Barron '15

What can you say about finally taking your dream trip? I really don't have a lot of words to describe how grateful I am that I actually got to spend a week in Bora Bora. It was always just that...a dream. One that I figured would maybe happen when we were old, when I'd have to make sure Billy packed his hearing aid and didn't throw his back out. Oh, wait...I have to do that now. hehe. For real though, I thought this trip was going to be something that happened when the kids were all grown and out of the house, not now. We aren't well off by any means, but thanks to tax returns (have 4 kids...it does wonders for your tax refund) we were able to pay for most of this trip. We decided there were way more responsible and adultish things to do with our money, for sure, but was there ever going to be a "perfect" and more responsible time to take this trip? Nah. #yolo

I'm so glad we decided to go for it. I'm so glad that I have these memories to enjoy for the rest of my life, and to get me through the looooong cold school year ahead of me. (Oh gosh. I'm so not ready. Say it's not already September.) The trip really was everything I imagined it would be and more. The resort was amazing...and the staff was above-and-beyond friendly and happy. They waited on us hand and foot and made everything simple and easy for us. I said to many people that the pictures don't really do it justice, and it's true. It was more gorgeous than I even expected, and for all the hundreds of pictures I took it still just has to be seen to really capture it. The water is fluorescent blue and a million different shades, and the island is a gorgeous green velvety contrast to the white sand and blue water. There are flowers everywhere, and all kinds of birds and fish. I kind of felt like I was walking around in a painting all day.

We snorkled and swam and laid around. We shopped on the island, and slept long hours and just soaked up as much as we could. Neither one of us wanted to leave, even though we both talked everyday about how much we missed the hooligans. It was a much needed break for both of us, and we couldn't have ended up in a more beautiful spot to enjoy that break. I am missing Bora Bora kind of like a limb right now...I keep wishing we were back there for just one more day. I cried when we left, and we both agreed that we need to go back one day. Yolo, right? ;) But really, I am so grateful that we were able to live this dream of ours out. Thanks for the many of you guys who encouraged my oversharing and enjoyed it right along with us!