As I was getting ready for my new weekly installment of Senior Sunday—a trend where parents post a photo or memory of their high school senior—I found myself getting very sentimental. The more photos I gathered and the more words that came pouring out, the more I realized I couldn’t possibly squeeze it all into a Facebook status. If you’ve followed Messy Mom for any length of time, you know that I process life by sharing it. I’m a woman of many words—and even more photos.

We just returned from a road trip to New England, something I’ve dreamed of doing with the whole family for years. Vermont has always been my happy place. My parents are from there, so I visited several times as a child and a couple of times as an adult. The New England fall foliage is indescribable—so breathtaking and awe-inspiring that photos can’t do it justice. It’s something you truly have to experience for yourself.

We haven’t always taken trips in the fall, but when SJ graduated from her deaf school in 2018, all the kids finally landed on the same academic schedule—which, in our district, includes a short fall break. That year we set out for Michigan to camp under the golden leaves.

We loved it so much we camped in Michigan again the next year.

In 2020, our annual fall trip was put on hold. The world was on lockdown, and that October was the only time we actually tested positive for COVID—three of us down for the count.

In 2021, we stayed at the cutest Airbnb in Indiana, and in 2022 we explored Clifty Falls, also in Indiana.


In 2023 and 2024, we camped in or near Hocking Hills with friends.

Last year, while sitting around the campfire, I gave everyone plenty of advance notice that we wouldn’t be camping for fall break this year. For Z’s senior year, we were going to Vermont—no exceptions. I was determined, but for a while it looked like it might not happen. I remember telling J, “It has to be this year—Z is graduating, and it’s our last chance!”

J challenged me, asking if I really thought Z would never take trips with us again once he started college. I said, “Of course not, but his school will be on a completely different schedule, and we have no idea where he’ll live or how demanding his workload will be.” This was our window—and I wasn’t going to miss it.

Thankfully, it all came together. We took off an extra day of work and school and managed to visit not only Vermont, but also Niagara Falls with an overnight in Buffalo, New York, two nights in New Hampshire, and one night in West Virginia on the way home.

To be honest, the leaves were a little dull compared to their usual vibrant splendor—but that didn’t make the trip any less meaningful. Z got to meet relatives from New England, the weather was perfect, and the scenery was still stunning. I’m so grateful we made it happen.

I know I’m a total sap, but looking back over the last eight years of fall breaks makes me tear up.

I think it hits harder than the holidays will because we know college kids (or just grown up children) celebrate the holidays, but those shared fall breaks in the same school district is definitely coming to a close. I will always cherish these times. Always.