Carrying Love Forward, One Journey at a Time

Some memories begin with a destination.

Others begin with a packed car, a cooler full of sandwiches, and the people who taught us what adventure really means.

For Veronica, the love of travel started long before she ever had a passport. Every summer, her parents would pack their three kids into the car and set off on another road trip. They explored Mexican pyramids, stood beneath the giant trees of Yosemite, admired the endless views of the Grand Canyon, and chased new experiences together as a family.

But years later, it’s not just the big destinations she remembers most.

It’s the little moments.

Her mom turning around in the car and joking, “If you have to go to the bathroom, speak now or forever hold your pee!” at every rest stop. Her dad carefully mapping out their route while carrying a camera everywhere they went, determined to capture every laugh, every view, and every memory.

Those trips gave Veronica something priceless: a childhood filled with stories she could carry forever.

After losing her dad, the world felt different. Her parents had spent 40 years as inseparable partners, and seeing her mom navigate that loss was heartbreaking. Veronica watched as the joy and energy she knew slowly faded.

Then she made a promise.

She would help her mom find those moments of wonder again.

Last year, Veronica took her mom on her first international adventure to Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Watching her experience new cultures, taste new foods, and see the world with fresh eyes reminded Veronica of how her own parents once introduced her to the beauty of traveling.

And little by little, she saw her mom begin to smile again.

Now, every trip they take together becomes more than just a vacation. It becomes a way to heal, reconnect, and create new memories while honoring the ones they’ve lost.

After each adventure, Veronica gifts her mom The Wander Club tokens from the places they’ve visited — small reminders that even through grief, life continues to bring moments worth celebrating.

And in the most unexpected ways, Veronica feels her dad’s presence along the journey. During their travels, the Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love” would somehow play in each country they visited — a song that always reminds her of him. To Veronica, it feels like a quiet reminder that he’s still traveling alongside them.

Veronica, thank you for sharing a story that beautifully captures what travel is truly about: the people we love, the memories we create, and the moments we carry with us long after the journey ends.

What memory, person, or place makes your travels meaningful?

We’d love to hear your story. Share it with us through our Wanderer of the Week form, DM us at @thewanderclub, or email hi@thewanderclub.com for a chance to be featured.