Valentine’s Day is usually about romantic dinners, chocolates, and unrealistic expectations.

Which, honestly, feels oddly similar to traveling with kids.

Because both involve:

High hopes
Questionable logistics
Emotional moments
And someone crying at some point

But in the spirit of love, real love, messy love, family love; here’s what I genuinely adore about traveling with my crew.

Even the chaotic parts.

1. The Anticipation is Pure Magic

Before a trip, everything feels exciting.

The countdown.
The packing (okay… sometimes).
The “are we there yet?” energy days before departure.

Kids experience pre-trip excitement like it’s Christmas morning meets Disneyland meets caffeine.

It’s contagious.

2. Airports Are an Adventure to Them

To adults: lines, delays, overpriced snacks.

To kids:

👀 Escalators!
👀 Airplanes!
👀 Moving walkways!
👀 Tiny shampoo bottles!

Everything is fascinating.

Even Gate B12 becomes a source of wonder.

3. The Unexpected Moments Become the Best Memories

Not the perfectly planned itinerary.

But:

• The random playground you stumbled upon
• The silly meltdown that becomes a family joke
• The snack disaster
• The “remember when…” stories

Traveling with kids guarantees unpredictability.

Which weirdly guarantees unforgettable moments.

4. Watching Them Experience the World

This one gets me every time.

Seeing your child:

Try a new food
Hear a new language
See the ocean/mountains/city lights
Ask wildly insightful (or hilarious) questions

You’re not just traveling.

You’re watching a tiny human’s worldview expand in real time.

5. The Forced Togetherness (In the Best Way)

At home, life is busy.

Schedules. School. Work. Activities.

Travel presses pause.

Suddenly you’re:

✔ Together constantly
✔ Sharing experiences
✔ Laughing more
✔ Slightly sleep deprived but bonded

Let’s Talk Expectations (Because They Matter)

Traveling with kids is amazing.

But it is not:

❌ A relaxing vacation
❌ A productivity retreat
❌ A spa experience

It is:

✔ A memory-making adventure
✔ A patience-building exercise
✔ A chaos-with-beautiful-moments situation

Shift expectations → enjoyment skyrockets.

Things I’ve Learned to Love About Family Travel

Even the parts that once stressed me out:

Slower pace
Extra snack stops
Early bedtimes
Playground detours
Silly travel rituals
The ridiculous things kids pack

Because this phase?

It’s fleeting.

(Everyone tells you that. They’re annoyingly correct.)

Our Favorite Family Travel Joys

Some of the little things that make trips special:

• Hotel bed jumping
• Airport treats
• Window seat negotiations
• New breakfast spots
• Souvenir hunts
• Travel day pajamas
• Vacation inside jokes
• “Best part of the day” chats

Final Valentine’s Thought

Traveling with kids isn’t always easy.

But it is layered with:

Laughter
Bonding
Perspective
Stories you’ll tell forever

And honestly?

I wouldn’t trade the noise, the snack crumbs, or the occasional mid-flight meltdown for anything.

Because this is the good stuff.

Messy, loud, unforgettable love.