Wherever We Land

The first real risk I took wasn’t climbing a mountain or jumping out of a plane. It was camping. Now I know to some that might not sound risky at all, but for me—it was a big step. The idea of spending the night outdoors, away from the comfort of walls and routine, was enough to make my nerves dance. But I love my husband Snatcher, and when he suggested we try it, I wanted to be brave. So I said yes.

We didn’t even have a tent at the time. Instead, we decided to sleep in our SUV. That sounded…safe enough, right? But once the sun dipped below the trees and the world got a little too quiet, my imagination kicked into high gear. I tried my best to act cool and confident in front of Snatcher, but deep down I was battling all kinds of “what-ifs.”

Snatcher, being the sweet and thoughtful man that he is, noticed my unease. He didn’t make me feel silly or try to push through just for the sake of “toughing it out.” Instead, he suggested we relocate somewhere I’d feel more secure. So off we went to a nearby Cracker Barrel parking lot.

Y’all, I slept like a baby.

Something about being close to lights, people, and the hum of civilization calmed my nerves just enough. We laughed, watched the stars through the windshield, and made a memory that still makes me smile. I realized then that camping doesn’t have to look a certain way to be meaningful—it just has to be yours.

The next morning, we woke up early and drove back out to the woods. The air was fresh, the birds were chirping, and boiled some water for hot cocoa and enjoyed a simple breakfast together. We even did a little fishing—just the two of us, soaking in the peace of the moment.

That little adventure was the beginning of something bigger for us. It wasn’t just about camping—it was about learning to try new things, to take small risks, and to trust each other through it all. And yes, I had a *great* time.

You can watch that special video from our first SUV camping adventure below. It was the trip that started it all.