When I was growing up, my family didn’t do Spring Break. We didn’t travel or go anywhere special. My parents worked, and if anything, Spring Break was more of a hassle. It meant finding me a babysitter, or as I got older, making sure I stayed out of trouble – though I wasn’t much for that. While other families were heading to Florida, South Padre Island, Myrtle Beach or Los Angeles, I was at home, reading a book or hanging out with neighbor kids whose families didn’t go anywhere, either. Those years without Spring Break shaped my desire as an adult to go on adventures as if my life depended on it.
When my son was born and especially once he started school, I made it a priority to take him on some kind of Spring Break trip. Two years ago, we drove to New Orleans for a few days. Last year, we traveled to Great Britain, exploring the northern part of England. But this year, with my new husband by my side, I knew I wanted to find a destination that would offer something special for both of them – something we all would have appreciated as kids. So, this year, we’re heading to Puerto Vallarta.
I’ve been to Puerto Vallarta before, but never with my son, and certainly never with my husband. Before we met, he had never traveled outside the U.S.; he didn’t have a passport and thought exploring the world just wasn’t for him. Now, with these trips lined up, I feel an obligation to introduce the world to him and my son in a way that makes them fall in love with traveling as I have.
Long live Spring Break, and long live taking much-needed breaks whenever they’re needed – in the spring or otherwise.
So, what makes the perfect Spring Break destination? Well, sunshine is a must. Preferably a beach. Add in margaritas and tacos, and I think the trip might just be unbeatable. Spring Break is that first pause in the year. Winter is coming to an end, summer is on the horizon and that break to warmer places is a reminder that sunny days are ahead. It’s a reminder that life isn’t just about work and school. There’s time to breathe, reflect on what’s been accomplished and recognize that relaxation and pleasure are just as important as deadlines and obligations.
So we are preparing – buying linen garments for the warm days, scouting the best restaurants and planning day-trips that will appeal to both adults and a young child. We’re mentally getting ready, looking forward to the light on the horizon. Because, ultimately, Spring Break is that deep breath before diving back into the chaos of everyday life. And sometimes, that’s all we need to power through the stresses of work and school.
As a kid, I longed for Spring Break. I dreamed of carefree days by the pool, envious of the kids who didn’t spend their entire vacation in front of the TV but instead traveled to far-off places. Now, as an adult, I’m making my childhood Spring Break dreams come true, one destination at a time. These trips are even more meaningful with the wonder in my little boy’s wide-eyed gaze and the excitement of a grown man discovering a world that once seemed out of reach, now open and welcoming to us.
Long live Spring Break, and long live taking much-needed breaks whenever they’re needed – in the spring or otherwise.
