It's very easy to get busy in day-to-day life, with kids, their school, home and the million things that usually occupy a mom's brain throughout the day.
We have all heard that we should make time for self-care and go out with friends, but it is easier said than done.
So when Miranda gave me the opportunity to spearhead a Family Adventure Squad moms-only trip, I grabbed it with both hands. I knew that the more time I spent thinking about it, the more likely it was that I would not be on that trip.
One catch: I'm scared of water
There was one catch, though: the trip involved kayaking at night to see the bioluminescence. And I am scared of water. I only learned to swim in my late 30s and am still learning some skills. But Miranda encouraged me through the process.
This trip included many firsts for me: driving a friend on a two-day camping trip, pitching a tent and packing up all by myself, and doing a water activity at night without the safety net of my husband, who is an excellent swimmer. But that is the beauty of doing something with Family Adventure Squad. There is always someone who shares your nervousness, enough people who will be there to help should you need something, the warmth of conversations with people you have never met, and a treasure trove of stories you get to hear.
Tiny sparks of light
What I experienced on the water cannot be described in such a short frame. It was foggy, and it was a dark night: perfect for seeing the bioluminescence, but nerve-racking for first-timers like me.
Seeing the tiny sparks of light as the paddles moved, and the glistening stars when we put our hands in the water, made the little girl in me so happy.
Saying yes
For some of us who have grown up in this part of the world, trips with girlfriends are common. Driving is a part of life. For me, there were many firsts on this trip that I challenged myself with: first time away from the kid, first trip without family, first camping experience on my own, and first kayaking experience at night by myself. I realized how powerful it was to push my limits, even for the most minor things, to do something my old self would have easily declined.
The trip wasn't just about Point Reyes or kayaking or even the bioluminescence. It was about digging out the part of me that says yes to challenges, to friendship and to fun without guilt. If you haven't joined a Family Adventure Squad moms-only trip, be on the lookout for the next one. It will be an experience.
— Sneha Mahecha, Family Adventure Squad member