Sending Love

Anna and Mike
May 13, 2018
3 min read

Today is a very special day. We have reached our half-way point in our travels, we JUST arrived to Mike’s mom’s hometown in Italy, AND its Mother’s Day! To all the Mom’s out there, thank you for all that you do! And a special shout out to two of our favorite people in this world, Nell and Leeann.

Thank you for supporting us always. We understand it probably was a little worrisome for you to hear we were quitting our jobs and spending three months abroad, but if it was, you never showed it. Instead, you offered enthusiastic support and guidance, helping us make this trip happen in any capacity you could. Without you, we would not be over here exploring the world. So, we thought we’d put it out there for the world to see (or, our followers), just how much we appreciate you. This year, our Mother’s Day gift to you is coming straight from our hearts and not our pockets—we love you deeply, but we’re on a budget. ;)

What is the greatest lesson we’ve learned from our Mom?

Mike: Family first. Growing up, and especially as a teenager, I always wanted to spend time out of the house with my friends. But my mom insisted—maybe persuaded—me to stay in. And I am so happy to have those memories, because it’s on those nights that we became closer as a family.

Anna: Honor yourself—listen to your body, trust your gut, and follow your heart. Do not let anyone tell you what to think or how to feel.

What is our favorite dish by Mom?

Mike: Chicken Pot Pie (maybe you’re thinking it should be an Italian dish, but that’s Sundays with Nonna)

Anna: Caesar Salad (or any feast that she’ll whip up just to prove us wrong if we say there is nothing to eat)

How would we describe our Mom in one word?

Mike: Strong-willed.

Anna: Wild.

How are we most like our Mom?

Mike: I stand up for what I believe in.

Anna: I am passionate in my beliefs.

What do we love most about our Mom?

Mike: She puts in a lot of effort to spend time with her children and regardless of the distance, she always makes it happen. From ski trips to beach reunions, she always gets the fam together.

Anna: She cares so much for the happiness of her children and will go above and beyond to see us smile. Whether it’s mailing me homemade heart-shaped brownies all the way to Australia for Valentine’s Day to keep with tradition or dropping everything to make sure I am okay. With my mom, I know that nothing is impossible and “a plane ride away” is just that.

And what do we love most about each other’s Moms?

Mike: I love feeding off of Leeann’s energy. As an example, one of my first visits to Hanson included an impromptu “parade” (it was just us) to three homes (of people whom I’ve never met), playing music, carrying a flag, and singing as we marched in circles in their driveway. I also love the effort she puts in to making sure I am comfortable in her home—once she learned of my allergies, she didn’t stop at buying new comforters and pillows, but she also banned the dogs from upstairs, excessively vacuumed and cleaned before each visit, and immediately became deeply invested in curing my allergies holistically.

Anna: Since day one, Nell has made me feel welcomed in her home and into her family. The first time we met, I was a stranger who popped into her house quickly (unannounced) and though I entered feeling nervous, I instantly felt comfortable. (I also love that we can share in an eyeroll when it comes to Mike’s antics.)

We wish we could pick you all the flowers in the world! But we can't, so, this will work for now.