One step at a time

I used to walk around Greenlake when I lived in the city to get some air and clear my head. I’d watch people, dogs, and ducks go by and once in a while I’d bump into this really tall guy I sort of knew. Brent walked the lake a lot with his brother Bryan. We went to the same high school and had known of each other through friends of my older sister. A few chance meetings eventually led to a hike up Mount Pilchuck as a first date of sorts.

Where once our paths had crossed, we now walked together; our steps and hearts in sync. Our love and friendship grew as if we had known each other all along. Walking toward Brent up the aisle on our wedding day was the most natural and wonderful next step. Our “son”, a Labrador retriever named Henry, brought our walks to a whole new level. We had to walk Henry to make him tired because a tired Henry was a well-behaved Henry.

Our family walks are ingrained in us now. It’s our time to talk, to laugh, to cry, to problem solve, or just to be quiet and take in the trees and breeze around us. And still, a tired Henry is a happy Henry. We walk for our spirits, we walk for our health, and just recently, we found a new purpose.

Brent had the most inspired idea when we were talking about his sister, Brooke, moving to China. Brooke is going to Beijing this summer to teach some very lucky students for two years. She has the most beautiful heart and will no doubt be a friend and mentor to many on her journey. We could not afford to visit Brooke during her last teaching excursion in China, but we desperately want to get a glimpse of her in action this time around.

Brent assured me that we could make a trip to China happen if we saved and planned for it. Then, he added his most creative proposition yet to keep us focused and motivated . . . we’re going to walk to China!

We’ll earn our trip with miles walked as a family. We’ll clock our steps to walk the thousands of miles that add up to the distance from Seattle to Beijing. We’ll have to walk more than ever before to reach our goal in the next 18 months! It’s an exciting challenge that will no doubt serve us well. With every step, we get closer to each other and closer to China . . .