Vacationing Solo (Kind Of): A Couple's Trek to Puerto Rico

Hey there, fellow adventurers and midnight snack aficionados! So, here's the skinny: in just a whirlwind three weeks, my boyfriend and I are setting sail (figuratively, because let's face it, airplanes are the way to go) to the enchanting island of Puerto Rico. Yep, you read that right - sans kiddos. Before you raise your eyebrows, let me paint you a picture of our life.

View from my Air B&B Puerto Rico December 2023

You see, we're pretty much the poster couple for "It's a Wild, Wild World" - between skydiving escapades, unintentional bear chases (long story in a previous blog post), and my illustrious career as a snoring bulldog's mom, it's never a dull moment. Add to that mix my boyfriend’s rambunctious kids, and well, you've got a recipe for chaos that even Gordon Ramsay wouldn't touch.

Now, we're no strangers to family vacations. Our camper has seen more of the Eastern U.S. than most history textbooks - from the historical allure of Virginia to the beautiful landscape of Maine, not to mention the many lakes of New York and the maritime charm of Mystic. His kids have memories packed to the brim with these adventures, and there's more to come.

Lake George New York

But here's the deal: amidst the laughter, dad jokes deciphering, and those midnight Amazon shopping sprees that make absolutely no sense the next day, my boyfriend and I realized something. We needed an "us" adventure. A little breather from being Bonus Mom and Dad to just being, well, us.

I know, I know - "But what about the kids?" It dawned on me - taking this trip to Puerto Rico isn't about being selfish; it's about maintaining our sanity and ensuring our relationship doesn't get lost in the shuffle of parenting and daily life. Plus, let's be real, having adult conversations without being interrupted by a curious 6-year-old asking why the sky is blue for the millionth time? or whatcha doin’? Priceless.

So, how did we break it to the kids? With a promise of their own adventure, of course! A week filled with their favorite activities (supervised by their adoring mimi (grandmother)), ensuring they'd have their fun while we had ours. It's a win-win. Plus we have three upcoming trips planned in our trailer to Lego Land and Maine.

Now, as we count down to D-day (Departure day, that is), the excitement is palpable. The plan? To soak in the sun, enjoy each other's company, explore every nook and cranny of Puerto Rico, and maybe - just maybe - sleep past 6 AM for the first time in what feels like decades.

And for those curious about whether my other half is all in on this child-free journey? It's a mixed bag. On one side, he's got a soft spot for including the kids in our adventures, but on the flip side, he recognizes the importance of some quality one-on-one time to strengthen our bond.

So here's to adulting, keeping the spark alive, and making questionable life choices - because at the end of the day, isn't that what makes life interesting?

Stay tuned for the post-vacation blog where I'll spill all the beans on our Puerto Rican adventure - including whether we managed to return without adopting a stray dog or, you know, accidentally buying a timeshare.

This adorable guy followed us around in Puerto Rico. I had to stop my friend Shannon from trying to bring him home (and the other 100 other dogs she tried to take)

Drop me a comment below with your own tales of adventure, parenting highs and lows, or that one time you bought something utterly ridiculous on a late-night shopping spree. We're all in this chaotic, beautiful life together, so let's share the laughs and the love. Until next time, keep finding the humor in the chaos and the joy in every moment. Adventure is out there, and sometimes, it's waiting just beyond the next sunrise in Puerto Rico.