A Family Trip to Maine: Reconnecting Through Simple Moments
As my teenagers grow up, I feel like time is slipping away. To hold on to the moments we have together, I decided to book a family trip to Maine. I worried that my kids wouldn’t have the same fun they used to when they were younger. But as it turned out, this trip brought us closer and allowed for some much-needed time to slow down.
Driving into Northport, Maine, I was filled with uncertainty. My family has visited before, always enjoying the cottages and the small-town charm. However, this trip felt different—especially because of the ages of my children. The last time we came, bike rides were an adventure, and finding a piece of sea glass was magical. Now, they drive real cars, and their excitement often comes from screens.
At 15, 17, and 18, my teens are stepping into adulthood, and I wasn’t sure if Northport would still be as appealing to them. But something unexpected happened—my teens tapped into their younger selves again.
I planned this family vacation because time feels like it’s slipping through my fingers. When they were younger, I wished things would hurry up: When would they walk? Talk? Sleep? Now that those milestones are behind us, I find myself longing for the one thing we can’t buy on Amazon—time.
Pulling up to the cottage, my kids looked up from their phones, and I saw a flash of recognition in their eyes. I kept my excitement in check, not wanting to spoil their smiles. Still, I couldn’t help but exhale as I stepped out and felt the salty air on my skin. I asked if they wanted to walk to Kelly’s Cove, bracing myself for a chorus of “no’s.” Surprisingly, they all said yes.
I watched them stroll ahead of me, walking shoulder-to-shoulder, bumping into each other like they had known each other all their lives. Phones were tucked away or left back at the house. I could hear them laugh and tease one another, just like I hoped they would when they grew older. As they climbed down the stairs to the rocky shore, each one went their own way.
“I found one!” I heard one of the kids call, and we all rushed over to see what they had discovered. It was a piece of sea glass, smooth from years of being tossed by the ocean. I could relate. As we marveled at the smooth edges, I wondered if there was ever a better picture of parenting. I hope my edges are smoother now than they were on our last visit.
Standing together, a bit of my worry fell away. It wasn’t a vacation I was after; the only thing I was trying to escape was turning the calendar page.
Embracing Slow Moments and Shared Memories
The week unfolded like a picnic blanket. We let things settle, embracing the relaxed pace that Maine offered. We played cards, went for walks, and spent time reading books. The kids ventured to the cove again and again, always coming back with handfuls of treasures. Turns out, you’re never too old to find a treasure if you look hard enough.
Our outings included copious amounts of ice cream and baked goods as we traveled to places like Camden and Acadia. We explored Belfast and found a hidden trail at Marshall Point Lighthouse. There was no strict agenda, just a mental bucket list of things like lobster rolls and jumping off the pier.
I even found the courage to leap into the frigid waters as my teens cheered me on. Standing on that pier, I remembered the tiny hands holding mine as we stood in the same spot only years before. Instead of feeling sad for what was, I felt grateful for what is.
Finding Value in Simple Moments
I longed for time with my teens before they fully stepped into their own adventures, and these activities gave me that. In a world tempted by bigger, fancier vacations, the one thing my family needed was found in the simple things.
As we packed up the car at the end of the week, I didn’t feel sad. Instead, I felt grateful. Before my trip, I thought I wanted a simple vacation, and in so many ways, Maine was. But even more than simple, I realized what I really wanted was time—time with my kids as they grow up. And Maine delivered.
