07/23/2025
𝐕𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝.
Back in June, we sat down and made plans for a vacation. We searched high and low for the best deal we could find to make it happen.
We missed out on vacation last year to bring home a new addition to our family, so to say I was looking forward to this trip would be the
𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘺.
When July finally arrived, I was so ready to fill out my calendar—with the end of it reading in big, bold, decorated letters:
☀️𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 🍉
We talked about it for months. Counted down the days with the kids.
It was finally almost here…
Then, last week, our A/C went out.
We refilled the coolant as a temporary fix—just hoping it would get us through until the part came in.
And let me tell you—86 degrees 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵?
Absolutely not.
That fix lasted three days. $285 gone.
Our repair tech ordered the part right away, but we had to endure seven long days without air. Seven days of barely being able to dry a load of laundry, run the dishwasher, or even cook without the house turning into a sauna.
When he finally came back and got us back to Antarctica status—another $500.
Thank God we have insurance—but you have to pay upfront, send in the invoice, and wait for the reimbursement check to arrive.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲.
Could we have pulled from savings? Sure.
But what about the income we’d lose while on vacation?
I do hair—minimally—and if I don’t work, I don’t earn.
My spouse just started a new job a few months ago. No PTO yet.
And even if he had it—we’re saving that time for when our baby girl arrives.
There was just no way we could make the trip happen this year.
And it broke my heart. For me, yes—but so much more for my babies who were so 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥.
I’ve felt like a failure.
Like they’ll think I lied.
Like they won’t trust what we say in the future because this didn’t happen.
But in the middle of those high emotions, I’ve tried to remind myself—and maybe you need these reminders too:
• Memories aren’t about location—they’re about quality time
• Being honest with kids about real-life situations helps prepare them for adulthood
• Modeling how to handle financial hardship is just as important as teaching them how to change a tire
• Sharing disappointment, and letting them watch how we handle it, gives them realistic expectations for life
• This doesn’t make me a failure—it makes me responsible. It shows them what priorities look like
Let me tell you something: not that long ago, I would have gone anyway.
I wouldn’t have cared about how we’d pay the bills when we got back.
I wouldn’t have thought twice about wiping out our backup savings.
I would have made it happen—come hell or high water.
But not this time.
I’ve spent the last year sitting at this counter, pen to paper, making a plan.
And when money didn’t go as planned—I didn’t break the plan.
Yes, I cried.
Yes, I felt like I was ruining their summer.
Yes, I sobbed when I had to tell my son, because I knew he’d offer me his piggy bank (which he did 💔).
But this time, I chose 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵.
We stuck to the plan. We didn’t set ourselves back again.
I’m not saying I’ve handled this like a champ—I haven’t.
I’ve cried plenty. I’m sad for myself. I’m sad for my kids.
But this is life. This is real. This is responsibility.
If you’ve made it this far, and any part of this hits home—I want you to know:
You’re not alone.
We’re all out here doing the hard things.
Facing challenges every single day.
Doing what we have to do for our families.
𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲.
𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐭.
You’ve got this. 💪🏻
