Last Sunday, we were supposed to be flying high over the East Coast by 9am, coming home from our magical Spring Break trip to Disney World. Instead? We were just heading towards the Georgia border in a rental car, powered by Starbucks, singalongs, and a whole lot of laughter.
Let me back up a bit…
Last week we took the kids to Disney World for their Spring Break. And as they say, it was truly magical! They’re old enough now to walk all day, ride all the rides, and keep (most of) the whining at bay. It felt like a true parenting milestone!
But magic has its limits, or maybe an unexpected way of showing up.
The Airport Curveball
We were up before the sun, got ourselves ready, filled up the rental car, and made it to the airport with what we thought was enough time. But as we rolled up to the bag drop… we saw the line. Not just a line, but a sea of humans. Stress started creeping in.
I’m big on self-talk and visualization, so I kept thinking:
The line will move fast. We’ll get to the gate. This will all work out.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
We got to the desk five minutes too late to check our bags. Five. Minutes.
Off we went to another line to rebook. The agent was kind, but the news wasn’t: no more flights to DC that day. The next option? The following night… and at a crazy premium.
As my son has been saying lately: “Say what now?!”
The Pivot
Despite the chaos, I actually stayed calm. The old me would’ve spiraled. But now, I know how to choose differently. I looked at my family and felt so much gratitude for the time we had together, for the fun we just shared, for simply being.
Then, as I walked to the bathroom with my daughter, an idea popped in.
When I came back I said to my husband, “Why don’t we just rent a car and drive home? It’s only 12 hours and I’m sure we can make it in one go!”
And just like that, the road trip began.
Snacks, Starbucks & Singing Loud
We grabbed the car (not the cool Bronco from before, sadly), hit McDonald’s for breakfast, and took off. The GPS said 12 hours and 27 minutes. ETA: 10:46pm. I knew we’d get in later, but I still wasn’t stressed.
We made several stops along the way, like when my son got carsick, when we grabbed Dramamine at CVS, when we needed food or bathrooms. At one Starbucks, I even got a surprise free coffee with mine (the universe rising to meet me at my higher frequency state of gratitude!).
Making It Fun
To pass the time, we sang our hearts out, played games, told stories, and celebrated every time the GPS counted down another hour. Each update felt like a little victory.
And throughout the drive, I got kind messages from people on Instagram who saw our little travel saga. It turned into this unexpected moment of connection with friends I hadn’t heard from in a while, with people cheering us on and sharing tips. I didn’t see that coming, and I was so grateful for it.
Home, Finally
We pulled into the DC airport at 2:10am to return the rental, picked up our car, and made it home by 3:15am, 16.5 hours later. And we were elated. Tired, but in the best spirits.
Because the truth is, we made it fun. We made it an adventure.
The Real Win
Most people would’ve been furious. Honestly, the old me would’ve been too. But that’s not who I want to be anymore. When things fell apart, I chose to stay grounded, to lean into gratitude, and let that energy guide me to new possibilities.
That mindset shift made all the difference. It helped me think clearly, problem-solve creatively, and stay present with my family. And honestly? It turned into one of the best parts of our trip.
A Note to You
Next time life throws a wrench in your plans, I hope you think of this story.
– Choose gratitude over panic.
– Let go of what should’ve happened.
– Get creative, and make the journey part of the fun.
– And be proud of yourself for choosing the energy that supports your peace.
Because sometimes the best memories come from the most unexpected detours!