Spring Break is officially here, and today, we’re talking about a different kind of balance and fulfillment. If you’ve read my posts on fun money and maximizing PTO, you know I love finding ways to make the most of our resources—our time together and the money we use to fund adventures. But making the most of something often means making sacrifices, too.
We have an exciting year ahead—summer plans, a cousin’s wedding, school activities, and holiday trips. I had originally scheduled a few family days off for Spring Break, but with a two-week cross-country road trip coming up, I realized those PTO days would have more value later. Thankfully, my husband has a bit more leave than I do, so he took the week off while I stayed behind to work.
That meant I was the only one working while everyone else was off. But here’s the thing: the fulfillment was still there.
Yesterday, as I sat in my office, my husband decided to take the kids on an adventure. Now, I’m a planner, while he’s more of a “let’s see where the day takes us” kind of guy. And wow, did the day take them somewhere incredible.
He started with a stop at the batting cages since Big E has been struggling with hitting. I got a very excited phone call right after, her voice beaming with confidence as she told me how she hit almost all the balls. From there, they went to a playground he used to visit as a kid, where he shared stories of the giant wooden playground that once stood there—hidden tunnels, rickety bridges, and all.
But the real highlight? He took them to see a rocket launch. Growing up on Florida’s East Coast, we watched every shuttle launch, feeling the rumble in our chests. While we can still see launches from home, we don’t get that same experience anymore. So, he took them to Mosquito Lagoon (aptly named, I assure you), where they got to feel the rumble for themselves.
The adventure didn’t stop there. The ninety-minute drive home turned into a four-hour journey full of spontaneous fun. Every “I need to go potty” led to an unexpected detour—stopping at Wawa for coffee and admiring a Ninja Turtle made of soda cases, turning a Costco gas stop into a full-blown Costco adventure (complete with a hot dog dinner).
And me? I had a great day, too. I worked alongside the few coworkers who didn’t take Spring Break off, enjoyed longer brainstorming meetings, and actually got to take my time at lunch. Throughout the day, I smiled at every picture and update, knowing my family was having the best daddy-daughter day ever. Then, I ended the night with a much-needed mom’s night out with a friend.
The Takeaway
Sacrifices don’t always feel good in the moment, but when they’re made for the right reasons and embraced with the right mindset, they can still lead to incredible fulfillment.
Your outlook is absolutely phenomenal. Thanks for sharing with us