Happy Birthday to my Number One Travel Buddy

When I met Mark over two years ago on the same island we are waking up on today, I didn’t know that, corny as it is to type, my life was changing forever. I didn’t know I had found someone who shared my dream and vision for living an unconventional life and exploring the world. I didn’t know I had met the person who would restore my faith in the good heartedness of people. I didn’t know much of anything, really, since I couldn’t understand a word through Mark’s thick Scottish accent.

Dear Mark,

Today we’ve been through twenty seven months, nine countries, and about a gazillion goodbyes in our long, long distance relationship, but we’ve never spent your birthday in the same country. Living in Thailand I can’t bake you a fancy cake or order you a giant balloon bouquet (What? I’ve always wanted to do that) or buy you the electric razor you’ve been wanting, but I can dedicate this post to you.

Halloween in New York City

I love that you arrive in new places without having googled a single image or cracking open a single guidebook, and simply stay open to every adventure.

Whitewater rafting in Honduras

I love the way you always stop and give directions to anyone holding a map.

Wedding-going in Scotland

I love that you sometimes carry both our enormous 80L backpacks when I’m feeling tired.

Getting ready to dive in Grand Cayman

I love that you have made a career out of passing your passion for diving onto others.

I love that my family sometimes seems to like you better than they like me.

I love that you are Alex in Wanderland’s number one fan.

I love that you never take yourself too seriously. (I think I might love this most of all.) Whether its prancing around in speedos, telling bad jokes, or tearing up the dance floor, people have a hard time keeping a laugh and smile off their face around you.

Scootering around Ibiza

Happy birthday Mark.

Love always,
Alex