When the Cooks leave Texas.

There is something to be said about traveling for the first time as newlyweds and sharing first-time experiences with one another.

I think waking up at 4 AM to catch an UBER ride to the DART Station, to catch the train, to the Bus Stop, to catch the bus to the Love-Field Airport to catch a plane to Orlando, Florida by 10 AM is an adventure in itself.

But Shane and I’s adventure to Florida was more than just a long extended trip to and from airports. I had the pleasure of sharing with him all of my favorite parts of Florida and experiencing him, experience them for the first time. It was so incredible to see his face light-up when he saw the beach for the first time and to realize how desensitized I was to all that was around me. I guess that’s what happens when you frequent another state to visit grandparents.

Spending time with him and trying new things I had never done before, like renting a hotel room, paddle boarding, swimming in the ocean when sharks were around (yep, that happened…) and more gave me a new appreciation for adventure and quality time.

For the first time in a long time, I slowed down; given the fact we only four full days in Florida, I made sure to enjoy every day, even if it was a long one. I tried not to complain much, to time manage, or to plan. I tried to live in the moment and just take it all in for what it was; an amazing adventure with the love of my life, my best friend, my husband.

I tried to make sure my eyes were more about God’s creation than they were looking at it through a phone or a camera lens. I think everyone should do that more often. Put the phone/camera down and take in the moments as they’re meant to be fleeting, and timeless. After all, one of the most incredible things about the human brain is the ability to store information, memories.

Anyway, here are a few of the photos I took from the trip and the rest are memories.