Well, hello there! If you follow our journey, you know that after a year in Costa Rica, we gave up our apartment keys and headed back to the States to unpack, work a bit, repack, and get ready for our next adventure. What’s the next adventure? It turned out to be an unexpected one! Imagine sitting at a casual dinner when the joke of cruising to the Bahamas on Matt’s brother’s boat quickly turns into an unforgettable water ride across a section of the Atlantic Ocean!
Our adventure began at Jake’s house in South Florida. As we were visiting and catching up over none other than our homemade tacos, Jake casually asked, “What do you guys want to do this week?” Jokingly, Matt said, “Let’s go to the Bahamas!” To our surprise, he took the sarcastic suggestion seriously, and within moments, our passports were unpacked. The next 48 hours were a whirlwind of preparation, excitement, and a little bit of momma nerves on my part. This would be my first journey across open waters with no land in sight on a boat smaller than a ship… and with a five-year-old!
We loaded up the boat with all the essentials for an early morning departure. The energy was almost comical at the dock as we prepped to set sail. I was still a little nervous and Matt was super pumped with his camera in hand. As Captain Jake gave a briefing, his wife got everything tied down and ready to set sail… well, even though there were no sails. The rest of the family consisted of two tired teenagers and a hyper 5-year-old ready for the snacks.
The boat ride from Florida to the Bahamas was nothing short of entertaining. As we set off, the sun was rising, casting a golden glow over the water, or “sparkleys,” if you ask Shanti. Jake, a fire chief and experienced boatman, took the driver’s seat while the rest of us settled in for the ride. The bumpy ride!
As we cruised through the open water, we experienced a mix of weather conditions. At times, the sea was calm and peaceful, while other moments brought dark clouds, choppy waves, and an increased heart rate. Despite catching air a few times and my full bladder, the thrill of the journey peaked when we saw the islands coming into view.
After about three hours heading east, the sight of the turquoise water and white sandy beaches was breathtaking. We docked at a gorgeous harbor, where we were greeted with warm hospitality and a much-needed toilet for me.
The beautiful thing about short trips is the natural desire to pack in as many memories as possible. This was definitely the case for our 24 hours in the vibrant Bahamas! From paddleboarding along the clear coast to dancing our way behind the local parade, every moment was a new adventure. We even captured incredible footage (thanks to Matt’s drone) of dolphins playing just offshore that we will cherish forever.
One of the best parts of this weekend was the quality time we got to spend together as a family. Being on the boat was like our own little floating family reunion. We laughed, swapped stories, and watched Shanti grow closer to her family. Harper, now 16, taught Matt about fishing, which was super cool and a little hilarious. Who knew his teen nephew would school him on something other than video games?! Just one more event that reminds us why these adventures are so important and keeps our travels unforgettable!
As we wrapped up our time in the Bahamas, we were already planning our next big trip. Tomorrow, we fly out to Doha! You guys, Doha, Qatar!! We are dreaming of the content that we’ll get in such an unfamiliar place with new food, uncharted roads, and a culture none of us have ever experienced. Here’s a sneak peek!
Just a bold reminder to check out our YouTube! This blog is just a glimpse of the full episode showing all the highs and lows of our journey. Check the full version out here on Their Happy Trails YouTube!
Just before leaving out of state, Shanti got one more outing with my mom. Can you see Gam Gam walking ahead of us?
The wardrobe – Most of you have read a story or few that included my dear friend Bree. From our adventures in Chiang Mai, Thailand to her first visit to Barbados, she’s been a beautiful addition to my traveling adventures. What you may not of known is that when she isn’t backpacking, she’s an incredible fashion designer that has even worked in NYC for Ralph Lauren (friend bragging moment). As her gift to me, she designed and tailored my gown start to the very last pin before I walked the aisle. Matt wore a classic beige jacket that was once wore by his dad who was there with us in spirit.
The jewelry – I felt so honored to walk the aisle with an arm full of authentic bangles and an ankle decorated with jewel covered bands, all from India (another gift from Bree and her family). My wedding ring set is a combination of Matts opal birthstone and a diamond band given to me by his mother, a ring that was once given to her by his father…. again, I’m honored. The unique funky earrings? Those were $7.99 from Claire’s (a handy accessory boutique in the states).
This was all being serenaded by Matt on the guitar before he passed it along to come and greet me for the rest of my walk. The service was guided by our dear friend Derek who peacefully spoke about higher connection and divine love. We said our own vows, exchanged rings and sealed it with a kiss.
Música! Personally speaking, I can survive any party regardless of food, drink or decorations as long as I have happy people and good music. As if our plans couldn’t of gone any smoother, in walks Dj Trev! He perfectly mixed every genre we wanted to hear, left out all of the songs we didn’t want and had a dance floor that never went empty. He was the icing on our wedding cake!
…and the party kept going… and going! 
I’m so grateful for the experience and love we were able to capture, I’ll hold it dearly forever! 
Her Happy Trails 