This is Part 2 of a four-part series of relationships on the road. You can read Part 1, which is my thoughts on my marriage on the road trip. Up next for Part 3 is Friends. 

While traveling the country, we have visited over forty (40) family members across the United States. Sometimes we visited family while they were on vacation and others we visited family live in a different state.

Parents

Towards the end of our second week on the road, we spent some time with my dad and stepmom (you can read more in the Washington Family Adventures Part 1 and Part 2). A month or so later we met KC’s mom and dad in Florida (Good Times in Florida Part 1 and Part 2) before meeting my mom and stepdad and the rest of the family to cruise around the Caribbean. It was good to see them, although more than a little weird to see my family for over seven days straight. It was especially good to see my mom, who is battling breast cancer.

Spending time with my mom in Puerto Rico

As with all relationships, having extended adventures can deepen your bond or tear you apart. Luckily for us, it brought us closer together.

Bev enjoyed spending time with KC

In addition to spending time with our parents, having an extended period away from them has given me space to reflect on our relationship and has led me to gain a better appreciation of all three sets of parents.

Hanging out with my dad

Visiting my Grandma

KC got to visit my grandma (my father’s mother) for the first time while on this trip. It made me happy to be able to introduce them to each other and to visit with her. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the three of us and only have pictures of the whole family at dinner. The other “unfortunate” part of visiting grandma is the amount of good food and eating way too much. Since we were visiting, my aunt, uncle, and cousins came over each night we were there, turning each dinner into mini family reunions.

Family dinner at Grandma’s (she’s on the far left)

At least we got to hike off one meal with my aunt and cousin.

Hiking off grandma’s good cooking

Aunt Jennifer’s Baking

When we passed through New England, I saw that my Aunt Jennifer posted on social media that she was in Rhode Island visiting with her husband’s family. I shot her a message about maybe meeting up for a visit and before I knew it, we had plans to meet up on the 3rd of July. It was great to see my aunt and even more awesome that she had baked her signature molasses cookies. She baked a piece of home a thousand miles away.

Visiting with Aunt Jennifer

It was fun seeing all the parents, grandma, lots of aunts and uncles, and cousins on this trip, especially those who have moved away. There was lots of bonding and getting to know family better.