Ever since I was 18 months old, my family has gone on a family vacation. Just about every year, we pick someplace new or we go to the beach. We've been to places like Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, Lake Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, and so on.

It's awesome having something to look forward to throughout the year. We know that sometime in July, we will jot off someplace. It's nice getting away from reality for a week. We try to stay off our phones and enjoy each other's company and being away from work and people for several days.

I personally look forward to these trips because it's the perfect time for me to de-stress and reflect on things that I'm grateful for. I know that not every family is able to afford to go to the places that my family has been to. I'm very grateful that we get to enjoy these experiences together and that we're even able to have opportunities like these.

Since we're all older now, we hardly get to see each other. We're always working or at school. Our lives have become so busy and chaotic. It's awesome that we can spare a week out of the year to fully be around one another and catch up while relaxing.

The past couple of years we have gone to the beach. This has become a paradise for us. There's nothing better than having your toes in the sand and getting a nice tan. I wouldn't be surprised if we continue to go to the beach from here on out because we've all fallen in love with it and we really look forward to it.

My favorite part of our family vacation is we all pick someplace to eat every night. We try to eat at different places and places that we don't have at home. Let's just say, we all get our fill of good seafood for the year! We usually get all dolled up and go out. I literally get ready more on vacation than I do at home. I do crazy makeup looks and wear my hair different. It's a great time to try new things and to fully be yourself.

I think that every family should take a family vacation at least once a year. These are memories that I will cherish and remember forever. There's nothing like exploring new places and eating amazing food with the people you love. I hope that my family continues this tradition and that someday our vacations grow larger by adding my own family into the bunch.