As I sat in the car for 18 hrs I couldn’t help but think about life and how far into it I have already experienced and how much more of it I still had left to experience. We were headed over the tree lined landscape south towards the desert. My best friend from high school sitting in the passenger seat trying desperately to find a movie to distract the two children aged 6 and 7 sitting boosted ever so slightly up in the back seat. As I stared out the window to the long row of commuters I started to think about my life and how just one year previously I was making this same trip with my soon to be fiance, then the year before with my oldest best friend, her boyfriend, his father, his sister and her best friend and the year before with my dearest friend of whom I met over 5 years ago. Vegas had become my annual get away, an adult playground situated in the desert ripe for the picking. I had many found an not so found memories from this annual oasis. The first trip with my dearest friend was fun but exhausting so when we had returned I needed another vacation from the one I just took. When I ventured to the desert play place with my oldest and most particular friend I happened to be without my love so seeing those two hand in hand sent jealous feelings through my veins and I longed to be back in his arms and receive the same comfort she felt the entire 5 days we were there. Once I returned my love and I immediately started planning our trip to the city of lights for the next summer. When we arrived that next summer I felt the best I ever had and we had an amazing time no opposite agendas and we both felt the comfort only the one who loves you can bring. Now I am for the first time taking my 7 year old daughter and we are driving. Driving far far away, we have 18 hours to go through the hills, and into the desert.