Has it really only been 18 days?

It feels like only yesterday I was flying home from a week in sunny Florida. I was relaxed and ready to jump right into 2013.

Florida was a great trip: awesome weather, lots to see and experience, and lots of time to relax (something I don't usually do when I travel).

But now, I am packing my bags again (really, I just washed everything from Florida and put it all back in the suitcase). Passport is in hand and I am on my way to Hawaii!!! I have never been to Hawaii and I am (obviously) very excited. But more importantly, this trip is a celebration.

Last year, to celebrate my parents 30th anniversary, we planned a trip for July 2012 to Hawaii. Unfortunately, shortly after booking the 2 week trip, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. We thought we might still be able to go (with a little juggling of chemo schedules) but the oncologist was very quick to squash our dreams. No Hawaii while she fights the cancer. It is an understatement to say we were disappointed. But then we decided it wasn't meant to be for 2012 but that didn't mean we couldn't go in 2013! So we rescheduled out flights and bookings for January 2013... after Mom's chemo and radiation treatments were finished.

And to be honest, I am so happy to be going now. My mom kicked cancer's ass: she is stronger and happier now. And we are ready to celebrate! So this trip is the culmination of a year of battles (physically for her, emotionally for all of us) and celebrations: tears and cheers.

So, in 12 hours, we will be on the plane to paradise. Celebrations will commence for my parents' anniversary (both 30th and 31st) and Mom's successful battle with cancer.

And to make things even better, I will be celebrating my 29th birthday in paradise! That's right, it's my birthday tomorrow and I couldn't think of anywhere else I 'd rather be than with family and friends in sunny, beautiful Honolulu (okay, I could think of a lot of places to be but I'm over the moon to be going to Hawaii!).

There will be 4 of us making the trip: obviously me, my mother, myfFather and my friend Shannon. A small group but a group ready to relax and have a good time. We will be cruising for a week visiting 4 islands. Should be a great introduction to the islands (and great incentive to return in the future).

I'll be blogging along the way so check back! The next 10 days will be awesome!

Love always, Lisa