Note: Not all of today’s photos were taken on our anniversary, and they may not be in order.
Today marks our 13th year of world travel. It’s hard to believe that on this very day, Halloween of 2012, we rolled our suitcases out the door for the last time, hearts pounding with excitement and a touch of fear, stepping into the unknown. We had no idea what was ahead, no roadmap for the years that would follow, only a dream: to live freely, explore endlessly, and see the world together, one country at a time. And here we are, thirteen years later, still doing exactly that.
It’s both surreal and deeply gratifying to reflect on how far we’ve come, geographically, emotionally, and even spiritually. In these thirteen years, we’ve called hundreds of places “home,” from houses in the African bush surrounded by wildlife, to high-rise apartments overlooking bustling cities, to cruise ship cabins gently rocking us to sleep under starlit skies. Each place, whether for a few nights or several months, shaped us in its own quiet way.
We learned to adapt to power outages, language barriers, and unfamiliar foods. We learned patience through visa delays and flight cancellations, and humility when technology failed us in the middle of nowhere. We discovered how little we truly need to live comfortably; just each other, our health, a roof overhead, and Wi-Fi that works often enough to keep us connected to the world and to those we love.
Looking back to that first day in 2012, we were so naïve about what full-time travel really meant. We thought it was about sightseeing and ticking countries off a list. But somewhere along the way, the meaning changed. Travel stopped being a vacation and became our lifestyle, our rhythm, our purpose. The world became our neighborhood, its people our teachers, its unpredictability our greatest lesson.
Over the years, we’ve seen sunrises that stole our breath and sunsets that felt like whispered goodbyes. We’ve crossed deserts and oceans, wandered through ancient ruins, and stood in awe before wildlife that few ever see up close. We’ve experienced joy, laughter, and adventure beyond anything we could have imagined. Yet we’ve also faced moments of exhaustion, medical worries, and doubt. Those, too, became part of the story, reminders that a life without roots requires constant flexibility and acceptance.
What still amazes me most is how fast the years have passed. Thirteen years…it sounds like a lifetime, yet it feels as though we just started. Each destination seemed to lead effortlessly to the next, as if the world itself was guiding us forward. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays in faraway places, each one a little different, a little more memorable. We’ve learned that “home” isn’t a physical space. It’s a feeling that travels with us wherever we go.
There’s something poetic about celebrating this travel anniversary on Halloween. While others dress in costumes and carve pumpkins, we remember that fateful day when we said goodbye to everything familiar, uncertain of where life would take us. It felt like we were shedding old identities, stepping into the unknown, and perhaps, in a way, becoming new versions of ourselves. Over time, we’ve evolved from tourists into global citizens, carrying the stories and lessons of each place within us.
We often get asked, “When will you stop?” And honestly, we don’t have an answer. As long as our health allows and our curiosity burns bright, we’ll keep going. There are still so many corners of the world left to see, so many cultures to experience, and so many people to meet. This journey isn’t about escaping life. It’s about embracing it, fully and intentionally.
Of course, it’s not always easy. There are times we miss the comfort of routine, the familiarity of friends, and the ease of a settled life. But then we remind ourselves…this was the life we chose, and it continues to fill our days with wonder. Every time we step off a plane, unpack in a new place, or wake to a new horizon, we’re reminded why we started.
So today, as we celebrate 13 years of continuous travel, our hearts are full of gratitude—for the experiences, for the lessons, and most of all, for the companionship that has made every step worthwhile. We may have left Minnesota long ago, but our journey has given us something even more precious than a permanent address. It has given us a lifetime of memories, a boundless perspective, and an unshakable sense of freedom.
A special thank you to all of our readers for following along with us. You have inspired us, supported us, and made us proud to have you in our world.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, October 31, 2015:
