As I prepared to go travelling, I unexpectedly fell in love

Packing up and heading off to travel the world is a dream shared by many 20-somethings. Last year, reader Jacki Moran put everything on the line to make her travelling dream a reality. Here, she tells us how the risk paid off. 

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The 28^th of December 2015 was the day my dream was going to become a reality…I was finally going TRAVELLING!

Four countries full of culture, colour and new experiences; three months of sun, sea and sand with my two closest friends - what more could a girl ask for? I handed in my notice to my permanent job, which some would say was a foolish idea, but I’d dreamt of this since the day I'd left college. The thought of putting on a backpack and heading into the unknown was something that gave me fire in the belly, and so I saved up for a couple of months and the plan was in place to get our flights booked. I couldn’t wait. The only thing that turned my excitement into sadness every so often was the thought of leaving without Donal; the man who I had, only months before, fallen completely head over heels in love with. This amazing guy who I met in July couldn’t have come at more an unexpected (or inconvenient, some would say) time. Isn’t it so typical, when you’re not looking that they just show up? My exciting plans to uproot for a couple of months were confirmed, and suddenly he walks into my life and blows anyone I had ever met before out of the water. In the beginning, I tried to not let myself fall in too deep, but like a whirlwind my feelings gathered and I was so in love after a couple of weeks. My friends loved him, my family loved him. There was nothing I could fault. We had become such a part of each other’s lives that it felt weird being apart for even a few days. I started to think to myself, how did this happen? Or how could I even let this happen when I’m going away in a few months’ time? I was seriously starting to doubt I could even leave. What if this guy was going to be the man I marry? And I was throwing it away for 3 months of gallivanting across South East Asia. But I knew I had to go, that nothing would stop me, and not even Donal himself would let that happen. He didn’t want me to end up resenting him in the long run when he knew what a passion this was of mine. That’s when I knew he was the one.

The night Jacki and Donal met

For the weeks leading up to my departure, I had the thought in my head of saying goodbye at the airport which would make me just burst into tears, but I had to keep positive and say to myself, if we’re meant to be, it will work out. I’ve always been a pretty independent person, regardless of who I’m with, but this feeling of saying goodbye was a like knot in the pit of my stomach. Ending things or “taking a break” just wasn’t an option for either of us. We wanted to stay together, and so we decided that’s what we were going to do. After all the Christmas celebrations, the morning finally came when he dropped me to the airport and we said our goodbyes. I was saying to myself, “it’s three months Jacki, it will fly by.” People will always wonder about this, but not once did the issue of trust come into it, and it was something we never fought over either. I had never felt so secure with someone before. I set off on my travels that morning, and I’ve never looked back. First stop, India. Boy, was it a complete eye opener! Not only is the country full of beauty, it also works at 100 miles per hour and poverty can be sadly seen everywhere you look. We covered 3,000km in a month from Delhi down to Kerala on overnight buses and trains before we flew to Thailand. My travels were absolutely amazing. India for one month, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia for the last two.  I’ve never laughed so much in my life, and I was so thankful to be able to see these places with my two childhood friends, Simone and Linda. Travelling across Southeast Asia wasn’t always smiles, which anyone who’s backpacked before knows only too well. There were times where the three of us would look at each other and say “did that just happen”, and that was usually linked to bus journeys! However, with every tear came a smile, and all was good in the world again once we got ourselves a beer. Of course there were tough days when I missed Donal so much and the frequent contact that we were used to. Not being able to get Wi-Fi, my phone not working, the time difference, etc. The girls could see how special my relationship, so they were always there as a shoulder to cry on when I needed to shed a few tears. I’m forever grateful for that. Of course Donal and I had our Skype conversations and left each other Whatsapp voicemails. I thought being able to hear each other’s voice as opposed to text messages would make us feel more connected, and it did. We managed, and as the weeks went on the closer it felt to me coming home. April 1^st, I landed home to Dublin to see him waiting in Terminal 2 with huge smile and a bunch of flowers, and I honestly never felt as happy. I was back home. I would say it has definitely made us much stronger, to think that we did this when we were only starting out in our relationship. I think back to this time last year where I was full of excitement and nerves all in the one. We’re moving in together next month, saving for a house, and I can’t believe how lucky I am to have ended up with someone like him. We’ve been abroad four times in the last year, and I honestly have to ask myself did I actually go away for those three months in between all of this! The moral of my story is that, if you really want something in life, the way I wanted to go travelling, you have to go for it with open arms. Embrace it, and let it embrace you. I knew that leaving Donal was going to put huge pressure on our relationship and it was going to be tough, but I thought if he really wants us to be together, he will be there for me when I return. If you’re thinking of going travelling, but are too afraid to leave your other half, your job, your everyday life, remember that you only live once and life is too short for “what-ifs”. If the person that you love is really meant to be in your life, they will be. To think that I could be sitting here wondering what it would have been like if I didn’t go with the girls, I couldn’t think of anything worse. That fear was temporary, the regret would have been forever. Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back, and remember, what’s for you, will not pass you by. "Life experience is what defines our character, even if it means getting your heart broken or being lied to. You need the downs to appreciate the ups. Going on the adventure or taking that risk is what’s important." - Nev Schulman