What can I even say. As I prepare to join you in celebrating an epic feat, I prepare to check off an item on my own bucket list.
[✓] Personally know someone famous
It's a weird thing to put on a bucket list, I know. Bucket lists are about experiences. About locations. About things we want to do and see. For me, knowing someone famous always seemed cool and interesting. I wondered what it was like to know someone beloved by so many. It seems so wild to think about where you are in this moment in life. Over the last four years you've sold out trips to Italy and Myanmar. You've visited 100 countries. You've accumulated 1M+ YouTube subscribers, and had 750+ people come from all over the world to celebrate with you.
One might wonder how you got here. Hard word. Dedication. Focus. Sure, those were all skills you needed to make this happen. But if you ask me, the answer is even simpler. You were just yourselves. The beautiful, talented, kind, generous people that the Lord made you to be.
I have had the privilege to know you both for the past 15 years, and if I look back over those early years, it's like I should have seen this day coming all along.
• Nate, in high school, you made Kara share entres with you at T.G.I Fridays, and never paid for beverages. Those we're a rip off. Those frugal habbits helped you get through that first year of full time travel.
• Kara, you squeezed my face and squealed thank you every single time I "saved your life" at cheerleading practice. Those honest displays of genuine appreciation are what shine through in every new experience we get to watch you have.
• Nate, remember that time we convinced you to come to Florida on 12 hours notice. You rode 16 hours in the car and worked 28 hours as "security" at a cheerleading competition, just for a free hotel stay and 4 hours of fun on the beach.
• Kara, remember that time we headed off with Nate & Kyle on a backpacking trip, but didn't know where we were going when we left. Crammed into someone's car, we headed east from Knoxville and researched hike/camps in North Carolina as we drove.
Some might say those moments were foreshadowing to this big adventure you've been on for the last four years.
It's easy to stand here and think this moment is crazy. That these people who traveled so far to meet you are crazy. But you know what I think… they aren't crazy at all. To know you two is to love you two, and all I can say is THANK YOU for bringing us along on your journey. Whatever is next - no matter how much of it you want to share with all of us. These years. This night. Knowing you two; has changed me forever. For each of you, I am eternally grateful. Cheers to you both and CONGRATULATIONS on 100 countries!! 🥂