What’s more satisfying — having a high expectation met gloriously, or encountering something unexpected that turns out to be amazing? Just one of the deep thoughts I’ve been pondering while sitting here at our campground in Glacier National Park.
The Grand Tetons were a complete surprise for me. I didn’t know much about the park, the mountains, or the area. And yet, our week there ended up being one of my absolute favorite parts of the trip. It was stunning, it was fun, and we met incredible people in the most unexpected places — like Lynn and Jerry on the tram ride. The Outer Banks was a lot like that, too. Places that sneaked up and stole a piece of our hearts.
Glacier, on the other hand, has always been on my radar. I’d seen photos for years and knew I had to come see it for myself. It’s definitely lived up to the hype — otherworldly, adventurous, breathtaking. But still, I wonder: which is more fulfilling — the expected wonder or the unexpected joy?
Maybe it’s a rhetorical question. Just me thinking out loud, like my buddy Ed Sheeran would. But I think these thoughts apply to so much in life — a new job, the first day of school, moving to a new city, or even marriage. So far, I’ve been incredibly lucky. I haven’t been deeply disappointed in life, and certainly not on this journey. In fact, this trip has been even better than what we hoped for — richer, deeper, more colorful.
We’ve had the joy of checking off bucket list destinations, but we’ve also discovered places we never expected to love as much as we do.
So perhaps there’s my answer after all. Just like in life, it’s not either-or. It’s both. It’s perspective. It’s the mix of dreams fulfilled and surprises embraced. And more than anything, it’s about the people you share it with.
Luckily, I have very good people in my life to share it all with.