Twelve Women, One Happy Island, and a Birthday I’ll Never Forget

There are trips you enjoy… and then there are trips that permanently live in your nervous system in the best possible way.
This girls trip to Aruba was the latter.

Twelve of us. Eight different states. One shared intention: celebrate turning 30 in a way that felt expansive, joyful, and just a little unhinged (in the best way).

From the moment we landed, it was clear; this wasn’t just a vacation. It was a gathering.

The Airbnb That Set the Tone

Let’s start with the house because it deserves its own moment.

We stayed in a badass Airbnb that felt like a boutique hotel designed exclusively for girls who love a good playlist, a strong drink, and a sunrise reflection. The crown jewel?
A private water slide that somehow turned a group of accomplished, grown women into fearless, laughing kids again.

Mornings started slow—coffee in hand, sunlight spilling over the pool. Nights ended late—music echoing, stories deepening, laughter louder than planned.

That house held us.

Eight States, One Frequency

What made this trip special wasn’t just the destination—it was the effort.
We flew in from eight different states, syncing schedules, flights, and life to show up for one another.

There’s something powerful about being in a space where everyone chose to be there. Where no one was half-present. Where the group text finally became real life.

Different backgrounds. Different seasons of life. Same frequency.

Soul Beach Music Festival & A Mariah Carey Moment

We planned the trip around Soul Beach Music Festival, which meant the energy on the island was already electric.

And then—Mariah Carey.

Seeing her live, surrounded by women who’ve known different versions of me over the years, felt surreal. We sang, danced, screamed lyrics like they were prayers. It was nostalgic and present all at once—the kind of concert that reminds you exactly who you are and how far you’ve come.

Beach Days, Boat Days, and Everything In Between

Thirty Looked Like This

Turning 30 didn’t feel like an ending—it felt like a widening.

This trip was about more than a birthday. It was about honoring friendship. Honoring effort. Honoring the versions of ourselves that made it here.

Travel has a way of clarifying what matters—and in Aruba, surrounded by women who show up fully, I felt nothing but gratitude.

For the laughter.
For the miles traveled.
For the memories that will outlive the tan lines.

Twelve women. One island. A birthday that set the tone for a whole new decade.