Five

Put your hands up.

Now put one hand down.

You can now count the number of months until our Central America excursion, and the beginning of a long and interesting journey afterwards, on that one hand. Five months to go people. Five itty bitty, teeny tiny, count-it-on-one-hand months.

Wow.

I started planning this trip about 13 months ago, and there have been various moments, or landmarks, during this time where I thought I felt it. Buying the backpack proved I had every intention of going somewhere, whether it be circumnavigating the globe, or just to the beach. I had my bag. When I called to start the vaccine process, I thought to myself about how exotic that location would be. Then, when we bought the first plane ticket, I thought I felt it, as I finally knew where that exotic place was located.

When I say I felt it, I am referring to the feeling of dream becoming reality. When you’re constantly planning for an event so far in the future, the day-to-day struggles take away from the realization of the event’s magnitude. It isn’t until you hit one of these landmarks that you take a step back from the small details and see the big picture again. The excitement rolls over your body.

In all of these previous moments, I thought I felt it, but now, while looking down at my hand and knowing we are so close, I can’t help but think about all the items I still need to cross off my list, how much money I have saved, and where I see myself in a year. At this moment, I am inundated with excitement, anxiety, nervousness, joy… the reality of a decision made 13 months ago to leave this country for adventure.