This past weekend, I had the privilege — and I do mean privilege — of chaperoning my 13-year-old twins and their classmates on their middle school band trip. A flight, a long bus ride, a band competition, theme parks, chicken tenders on repeat, and memories that I already know will last a lifetime.

Sure, there were hiccups. The bus broke down — not once, but multiple times — and at one point, the solution offered was: Popsicles for everyone! (It worked, by the way. A strawberry-flavored distraction can work wonders.)

At Six Flags, I became an honorary leader of the self-named "Picante" group — a pack of brave boys seeking out the "spiciest" roller coasters. My actual job, however, quickly evolved into emotional support for the kids who realized, at the last minute, that they weren't quite ready for loops and upside-down adventures. I stayed back on the benches with them, offering a smile, reassurance, and yes, holding a growing collection of "poop plushy hats" that they insisted on buying the second we entered the park.

The highlight reel could go on forever:

• The kids scrambling into tuxedos and dresses on the bus after hours of travel, adjusting bowties, smoothing dresses, picking up stray trumpets along the way.
• Chicken tenders for almost every meal, and no one complaining.
• The orchestra, jazz band, and symphonic band not only winning gold but jazz and symphonic bands taking first place in their divisions — the cheers and pure excitement of accomplishment.

But if you ask me what I’ll remember most? It’s Caleb’s face — his whole face — lighting up every time he rewatched the slow-motion video another parent caught: me getting drenched (not once, but twice!) on the water ride. That laughter, pure and bubbling over, is imprinted on my heart forever.

It wasn’t just the awards or even the rides. It was the in-between moments: the missed buses, the extra-long lines, the soggy sneakers, the laughter that couldn’t be contained, and the friendships strengthened simply by sharing the journey.

Because the truth is: It’s never really about the destination. It’s about these messy, hilarious, imperfect adventures we take together. It’s about the moments when the plans fall apart and something even better sneaks in to take their place. These experiences are what will stick — not the perfect itinerary or the neatly packed suitcases.

In the end, it's the joy of the ride, the laughter through the mishaps, and the memories etched into our hearts that matter most. I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

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