I went to the Atlanta suburbs to visit with a college friend who has two kids now, whom I hadn't met yet. I knew I'd be welcomed with open arms (and plenty of baby gear) on the other end of the trip, so I was just pushing through to get there. Instead, the time with them in the airport was filled with moments of figuring it out on the fly, breastfeeding anywhere and everywhere, appreciating tiny things I'd never notice traveling with adults, and helpful strangers. I was even able to hand off my baby to the flight attendant while my toddler insisted on using the plane toilet instead of his Pull-Up! Braving this trip meant that I got to spend four beautiful days with a dear friend -- seeing how she has become a mother, and doing it all with her for a few precious days. My confidence as a mom grew, and while I was certainly exhausted by the end, I feel incredibly lucky to have such fun kids to travel with in this phase of life.

If you're debating whether to take the trip: do it. Planes always land, and everyone grows.