Let's See The World

Parker and I recently had a conversation that sort of altered how we want to do holidays and gifts in the future. We realized that stuff is great, but material wealth isn't going to produce the same happiness that experiences will. When I look back on our almost 4 years of marriage, my fondest memories are the things we have experienced together. That's what has given us the most joy. 
I think back to climbing Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg, TX and Parker making fun of me for complaining that my calves were on fire (geez, they really were). I think back to our honeymoon in Naples, FL when it rained every. single. day. but we still made a vacation out of it. I think back to the multiple strolls on the San Antonio River Walk we've taken from our trips there. Those experiences have given us such fond memories.
This is quite the generic goal I suppose, but our goal is to experience it all. We want to travel and see and live as much as we can. The best gifts Parker has ever given me have been experiences. Of course the stuff is nice, and money can buy happiness to a point, but over time our satisfaction with the material things dwindles. As silly as this sounds, I would much rather take a long hike as a family than receive a new dress. That special time walking through nature is what I am going to treasure for the years to come. Parker and I talk all the time about how much we loved Corpus Christi. We would walk along the water with Jenny every single day, and it made us so incredibly happy. These experiences don't cost anything, but they give us so much more in return than the new dress will. 
When I talk about my childhood, the stories that make me smile most are not the ones where we received the fancy toys. It's the time that my dad stuck his foot into the sewer to show me it wasn't scary. Meanwhile, I cried hysterically for him to stop because I just knew it was going to suck him in. It's the time where my mom took us to the grocery store and the man that worked behind the bakery always made a big deal when we came to see him. Without a doubt, my favorite childhood memory is the Christmas we went to Disney World. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I was 9, but I know I will remember it forever. 
I think I've just realized that life is too short not to do and see as much as possible. When I kick the bucket one day, I can't take any of it with me, but I want to go out with a bucket full of memories. Parker and I have decided to be more intentional with our spending and save on the stuff we really don't need and splurge on the things we want to experience. We have a world map hanging in our home with stars over everywhere we have been. When we are old and gray, I hope that silly thing is so sparkly with stickers that you can't even tell which states are which. So here's to experiencing it all. I may not get to see everything in this lifetime, but there's no harm in trying, right?

Parker surprised me with horseback riding on the beach for Valentine's Day, and we just went a couple of weekends ago!

What is something you've done that you know you will remember forever?