My entire life I had felt a weird, strong pull to travel to Italy. I kept saying, “one day when I have someone to go with, I’ll go”. And then I waited. And waited. And waited.

Then it finally clicked – We only have so much time on this planet, right? So why was I wasting it by waiting for someone to go with? So that night – backed by a bottle of wine and a few tears – I did the scariest thing I could think of: I booked my first solo trip to Italy.

And it completely changed my life. (I know, it sounds cheesy, but stick with me)

I walked the streets where the Renaissance was born. Stood in the middle of ancient ruins. Swam in the Mediterranean Sea. Ate fantastic gelato. Ate terrible gelato. Drank wine in a sloping Tuscan vineyard. Gained a TON of confidence in my ability to handle unexpected hurdles and realized I was my own best company. And in true Lizzie McGuire fashion, I met a boy.