Note to Self: Be That Girl

The first time I went to Hawaii was for a week long vacation. My brother Alex was deploying to Afghanistan, so I cancelled my backpacking trip with my friend Tracy and booked a ticket to Oahu to see him before he shipped off. I had never been outside of the continental US, never travelled by myself, and had only been on an airplane maybe three times. Because it was one of my brothers, I knew I would go to the ends of the earth if I had to. If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, you know that getting there actually DOES feel like you’re traveling to the edge of the earth … and it’s worth every minute.

I landed on 80 degree Oahu in black knee high boots and a leather jacket, immediately greeted by the smell of plumeria and sunshine. I remember to this very moment of this very day what it felt like at that airport. I was suddenly open, warm, and knew I never wanted to leave. As soon as I got in the car, I unzipped my boots while my brother teased me for my choice in footwear. I was barefoot from that point on.

My adventures during that week will unfold the more that I write; but I needed a simple, gentle, subtle reminder today. When I was in Hawaii that week, I met so many incredible people and saw so many gorgeous wonders of the world. One of my journal entries after a hike read, “I met a girl today who literally just up and moved here one day. No plans! No friends! No job! Nothing! How cool is that?! Be like that girl!” I had no idea that a year later I would live there. That a year later I would sell practically everything I owned in order to chase that sun and explore the world. I had no idea that God would fly me back to that island on His wings so I could finish what I had started. But I had so much faith and trust and adventure in my heart and today I needed reminding: Be That Girl.