While most people in Maine were digging out of the snow in December 2021, my family and I were doing something a little different. I spent that holiday season in Aruba with my parents and my brother, Connor. We didn’t have a white Christmas—we had a turquoise one—and we capped it off by flying back home on Christmas Eve just in time for the holidays to truly begin.
This is the core of the trip. Traveling as a family of four—especially during the holidays—is an experience in itself. From long dinners to the frantic energy of the airport on Christmas Eve, these are the people who make a trip feel like “home” no matter what country we’re in. It wasn’t about the gifts that year; it was about the time we spent together before landing back in the Maine cold.
Growing up alongside my brother, our relationship has shifted from just “siblings” to actual travel partners. Capturing our time in Aruba was about documenting that transition. We aren’t just kids on a family vacation anymore; we’re experiencing the world together and figuring it out as we go.
In my new media studies, I’m learning that the most powerful stories are the ones rooted in genuine connection. I’m not trying to build a professional photography portfolio—I’m building a record of the experiences that have made me who I am. Aruba taught me that traditions can change, and “home” isn’t a place on a map; it’s the people you’re with when the plane lands on Christmas Eve.
