I’ve been thinking a lot lately as 2025 comes to a close—about how quickly time has flown by, especially over the last 10 years, and how much life has changed along the way.

Ten years ago, I signed up to become a travel agent. Why? Because after more than 20 years with Coca-Cola, I knew my position would eventually disappear, and “future me” would need a new path. So, back in early 2016, I created a business plan, formed my travel company, and started working part-time as a travel agent. Four years later, in December 2019, it was time to close the chapter on Corporate America and move forward full-time in the travel industry. I was excited about the journey ahead, but as we all know, 2020 had different plans—for the world and for all of us.

Gosh, when I think back to the 2020 shutdown, it feels like ages ago, yet those memories and hardships feel all too close.

2019 marked the last time so many things were the same for me: Kraig’s mom’s health declined quickly, and she passed away from cancer that spring. After having worked with hundreds of people in the industry, my era at Coca-Cola officially ended. It was also the final Thanksgiving where our family gathered in person with my dad and my nephew, both of whom passed away in 2020. It was also the last time I took my mom and two of her sisters on a Caribbean cruise. Though we continued to meet in different settings, the four of us never cruised again the way we had several times before.

What 2020 taught me above all else was to truly appreciate living in the moment and learn to be more flexible with change. What started as a one-week homeschooling stint at my house with my granddaughters due to school closures turned into over six weeks of Zoom calls with teachers, weeklong sleepovers, and relearning 6th grade math! With Zoom becoming the new normal, I connected with my childhood schoolmates monthly, reminiscing about the past and current events. And like many others, Kraig and I welcomed not one, but two of the cutest puppies into our home, adding joy, lively energy, and lots of chewed-up items.

Travel looked different too: flying with empty middle seats felt like a small luxury, and theme parks became ghost towns with no waiting and rides just for your travel party. Walking down major roadways with no cars in sight felt surreal.

There were joyful surprises too: the global Instagram fascination with Pluto the dog brought smiles everywhere, a renewed respect for the nurses and doctors working through the first waves of COVID, local TV meteorologists managing live broadcasts with adorable interruptions from their dogs and kids at home.

Through it all, 2020 was a powerful reminder: even in challenging times, life’s little moments, unexpected connections, and everyday celebrations make all the difference.

And here we are, five years later. My business has grown steadily, and life hasn’t slowed down. However, 2025 has brought deep loss for me with the unexpected passing of my mom, plus two of her sisters, along with other cherished family members—all within just a few months.

Life gives us specific windows for certain adventures. Not every positive moment or opportunity will be given to us in the months or years ahead. Time doesn’t stand still. Inevitable change happens in jobs, health, or responsibilities. I desire to embrace the celebrations that cross our paths—not just big birthdays or milestone anniversaries, but all the in-between moments, too.

In less than eight weeks, we’ll be ringing in 2026—an opportunity to start fresh and pursue the things that truly light us up. Reflecting on the last 10 years makes me more determined to live fully in the next 10 years ahead.

Take a moment now to reflect on the past decade. How old were your children 10 years ago? Were they even born yet? What did your health look like? What celebrations do you remember? Now imagine it’s 2035—what will you look back on with pride, joy, or wonder?

Those 10 years will go by in the blink of an eye. How will we remember them? What stories will we share about our adventures, challenges, and celebrations?

I want to invite you to join me in launching a special series. Over the next several weeks, let’s explore bucket list destinations—the places we dream of seeing, the experiences that spark joy and wonder, the memories waiting to be made. Maybe you haven’t traveled as much as you’d hoped, or perhaps you’re eager to revisit beloved spots and create new stories there. Wherever your heart leads you, I want to help turn those dreams into plans—and those plans into unforgettable realities.

Together, we can create a roadmap for those dreams. Share your bucket list with me and let Checklist Travels work with you to navigate the journey from dream to reality. Because in just five to ten years, you’ll want to look back and ask, “Did I take that trip? Did I chase that dream? Did I celebrate what mattered?”

Let’s make the next 10 years a story worth telling.

Adventure Awaits - It's Travel Time

DeAnn Hittinger

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."

— Eleanor Roosevelt