The Last Vacation Before College

Last week, my husband, our daughter, and I spent five days in Boston and somehow managed to pack what felt like two weeks of experiences into them. What made this trip different wasn’t the destination—it was knowing it would be our last family vacation before she heads off to college next month. Somehow, knowing this season was coming to an end made me pay attention in a way I hadn’t before. I wasn’t just taking in the sights of Boston—I was taking in the people beside me.

We took a Duck Tour (because can you really say you’ve been to Boston if you haven’t?), explored the city on a Ghosts of Boston Tour, and laughed our way through the Politically Incorrect Food Tour, discovering neighborhood restaurants in the North End we never would have found on our own. There was a seafood boil at The Shaking Crab, brunch at The Friendly Toast, and plenty of lobster because, well…it’s Boston.

One of the unexpected highlights was visiting during the FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals. The city was alive with excitement. Everywhere we looked, people proudly wore their country’s colors, waved flags, sang songs, and celebrated the teams they loved. We spent time people-watching, soaking in the excitement and listening to conversations in languages we couldn’t understand but somehow still appreciated.

At one point, we stumbled upon hundreds of French fans lined up outside the Four Seasons downtown, hoping to catch a glimpse of their team after a big win. Watching strangers celebrate together reminded me how much richer life becomes when we embrace our differences instead of fearing them. We all came from different places, spoke different languages, and were cheering for different teams, yet for a few moments we shared the same joy. It was impossible not to smile.

Another favorite was our Freedom Trail tour with the one and only TikTok-famous Lafayette in Boston (@lafayetteinboston), who brought history to life with humor, storytelling, and just the right amount of theatrical flair. Afterward, we wandered over to the harbor to experience the opening day of Sail Boston and the return of the Tall Ships in honor of America’s 250th birthday. It was one of those beautiful summer afternoons when the weather and breeze were perfect, and no one seemed to be in a hurry. Tourists and locals lined the waterfront together, watching the ships arrive, simply enjoying the moment.

One afternoon, we wandered through Boston Common and found ourselves standing in front of The Embrace, the beautiful sculpture honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. I stood there for quite a while, taking in the magnificence of it. Those intertwined arms symbolize so much more than an embrace. To me, they represented love, hope, sacrifice, and the promise of liberty. I couldn’t help but think about Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to something greater than himself and the price he paid in pursuit of justice for others. His legacy is one we should never forget. Standing there, I was reminded that some of the strongest people in history led not through fear or force, but through love, courage, conviction, and an unwavering belief in the dignity of others. That’s a legacy worth remembering.

As wonderful as Boston was, the real gift wasn’t the city. It was the time together.

Next month, our daughter leaves for college, and for the first time, we’ll become empty nesters. Even as I write those words, they don’t quite seem real. I know every parent says it, but where does the time go? It feels like yesterday we were packing coloring books and snacks for family vacations, and now we’re talking about dorm rooms, class schedules, and all the excitement that comes with this next chapter of her life.

I found myself looking at her a little differently throughout the week. Not with sadness, but with a deeper appreciation for the little things that are so easy to overlook when life gets busy. Her laugh. Her confidence. The conversations we had over dinner that somehow wandered from college classes to life lessons to absolutely nothing at all. I caught myself simply watching her a little more, quietly grateful for the young woman she’s become.

Watching the relationship she and my husband have built over the years was heartwarming. Their easy banter, the laughter they shared, and the genuine respect they have for one another reminded me that love isn’t measured by biology. It’s measured in shared experiences, unwavering support, showing up for one another, and simply choosing each other every single day. Those ordinary moments are the ones that become the memories we carry with us long after the trip is over.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. I spend so much of my professional life talking with leaders about presence, emotional intelligence, and being intentional. I encourage people to put the phone down, to truly listen, and to make others feel seen and valued. Yet somewhere between the meetings, deadlines, and never-ending to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that those same principles matter just as much at home as they do in our organizations.

Now, before anyone thinks I completely unplugged, let’s keep it real. Did I take one early morning meeting? Yes. Did I answer a couple of quick emails? Guilty. But did I spend the vast majority of my time soaking in one of America’s most historic cities, walking more than 15,000 steps a day with my husband and daughter, laughing more than I checked my phone, and being fully present for this season of our lives? Absolutely.

And honestly, I don’t feel guilty about any of it.

Ten years from now, I won’t remember the emails I answered that week. I probably won’t even remember what that early-morning meeting was about. But I’ll remember laughing our way through Boston, watching fans celebrate their countries with unbridled joy, standing in quiet reflection before The Embrace, walking miles through a city steeped in history, and realizing this chapter of our lives was quietly coming to a close.

As parents, we spend years teaching our children how to spread their wings. We encourage their independence, celebrate their accomplishments, and cheer them on as they become exactly who they’re meant to be. Then one day, almost without realizing it, they do.

I’m grateful we took this trip. Not because it was perfect—we missed a turn or two (thanks a lot, Apple and Google Maps!), ate more ice cream than anyone needed, and probably walked enough to justify every lobster roll—but because we chose each other over our schedules.

We laughed, wandered, and noticed the little things. Somewhere between the Freedom Trail, the Tall Ships, French soccer fans, The Embrace, and more than 15,000 steps a day, I was reminded that the greatest moments in life rarely announce themselves while they’re happening. They’re usually disguised as ordinary days that quietly become extraordinary memories.

I’ve come to realize that the people we love don’t necessarily need more of our time. They need more of us while we have the time.

So, if I can leave you with one thought, it’s this…take the trip. Stay at the dinner table a little longer. Put your phone away. Watch the people around you. Soak in the laughter. Notice the ordinary moments before they become the ones you miss, because those are the moments that matter most.

The emails will always be there, but the people we love won’t always be in the same season of life with us.