My 21st birthday was spent in Chicago, Illinois, with some of my favorite people in the world. This was my sixth time traveling to this area ranging from 8 years old to 21 years old and I couldn’t help but think about how differently I have viewed this city each time I have visited. We are a culmination of all of our experiences; each day we develop and as a result, our perceptions change. This phenomenon occurs within every element of our lives, from our workplaces to our relationships, but a vacation is way more interesting to read about (and also I have a really great picture montage so stay tuned).
Fun fact: I have never been to Chicago without my siblings, but each trip has been distinct within its own right. For instance, our first trip to Chicago I was in 4th grade and was not allowed to walk anywhere without being sandwiched between two people over the height of 5’4’’ because my parents were afraid that I would get hit by a car that didn’t see a 4’9’’ elementary schooler. I remember thinking the city was incredible, but I could not grasp that people actually lived there. My parents and siblings all stayed in a hotel right in the middle of the city; it was epic in my 9 year old brain. My favorite part about this trip was getting my mid-twenty year old cousin, Matt, to go into the American Girl Doll store, and I had no remorse about it.
Fast forward to summer after my Senior year of high school. My siblings and I went to Chicago and it was to date one of my favorite vacations ever. For the first time, I travelled without my parents or guides; I made real world decisions; I created relationships with my cousins outside of family Thanksgivings. We picnicked on the beach, went to Second City Shows, brunched in awesome places, shopped around the area, and biked around the city. This trip was when Chicago became one of my favorite places. After going on this trip, I really began to grasp that my cousins actually lived, grocery shopped, walked, and worked in this area. I think the coolest part of this trip was being able to really get to know the way that my cousins actually lived. It was no longer an abstract idea, but I had slept in their condos, ate in their homes, lived in their city (even though it was a short period of time).
Fast forward three years, coming home after an epic birthday trip, I couldn’t help but reflect on how grateful I was for the chance to travel and for the relationships that have been created with my cousins and siblings. Yes, Chicago is an incredible city; but this trip, the majority of my thoughts were centered around how grateful I was for the people in my life, and specifically on these trips. If we are a culmination of our experiences, I am so thankful that I get to experience and learn from them.
from here to breakfast 