A Victory Trip

That’s what I’m calling this family vacation.

For years, we escaped the dark, frigid Michigan winters by traveling to Florida. It was a tradition we all loved. One we never imagined giving up.

Until we had to.

Until our child’s mental health challenges eventually made traveling not just unwise, but unsafe.

In 2022, I remember driving south, hoping the sunshine and change of scenery would help our son. But soon discovered the struggles followed us. And after a very difficult week, we made the grueling drive home with the heavy realization that this was likely our last trip to Florida for a very long time.

The past four years have been incredibly hard.

Doctors.
Therapies.
Medication changes.
Endless interventions.

Our son was spiraling, and our family was unraveling. When he was diagnosed with DMDD, we finally understood we were facing a severe mood disorder that might require more help than we could provide.

And in 2024, we made the heartbreaking decision to place him in a residential treatment facility, where he spent the next 16 months.

But he’s been home for two and a half months now, and our family is beginning to heal.

The fact that all six of us made the 20-hour drive, crammed into a minivan with our dog Max, says a lot about how far we’ve come.

It wasn’t perfect. Our son still has a mood disorder, and that means we travel with extra flexibility and intention.

But this trip was filled with laughter and moments of togetherness we desperately needed.

It felt like a celebration.
Because it was.
And the kids are already asking if we can go again next year. ☀️🚐

Gratefully,
Maggie