1999 June - Texas

The drive from Fairview Heights, Illinois to Arlington, Texas always felt long, especially with kids packed into the backseat asking, “Are we there yet?” every couple of hours. Between the endless highway, snack wrappers piling up, and rest stops that all started looking the same, the trip could wear everybody out before we even crossed into Texas. Still, every mile was worth it. Waiting for us in Arlington was family — cousins laughing in the kitchen, grandparents ready with hugs, and the kind of memories that only happen when everybody gets together under one roof. The moment we pulled into the driveway, the exhaustion from the road started to disappear.This trip turned out even more special because we planned a day at the zoo. The kids could barely contain their excitement as we walked through the gates. They raced from one exhibit to the next, pointing at elephants, giraffes, and lions like it was the greatest adventure they’d ever seen.Amy and her kids joined us too, which made the day even better. The cousins laughed together, shared snacks, and argued over which animal was the coolest. By the end of the afternoon, everyone was tired, sunburned, and smiling.The drive may have been long and tiresome, but trips like this remind us why family matters so much. Years from now, the kids probably won’t remember every mile of the road, but they’ll remember the zoo, the laughter, and being together.