We’re two professors, parents, lifelong athletes, and now beginner sailors chasing a dream.

Like many working parents, we find ourselves caught in the constant rhythm of modern family life: balancing careers, school schedules, sports, activities, travel, and the endless logistics of trying to do it all well. While there is so much good in this life, we also feel how quickly the years with our children are passing.

We want something different for this season of our lives: more adventure, more time together, and more connection to the natural world. We want to show our kids that it is okay to step into the unknown, learn new skills from scratch, take thoughtful risks, and grow through challenges and shared experiences.

So we made the bold decision to step away from our normal routines for one year and move aboard a 40-foot catamaran with our two children and our dog.

Our journey begins in Grenada, where we’ll spend four months learning to live aboard before slowly making our way through the Eastern Caribbean and eventually back to North Carolina. We’re learning as we go, navigating not only the ocean but also remote work, homeschooling, minimalism, weather windows, boat systems, and life in a small space. Along the way, we hope to fill our days with warm turquoise water, sea turtles, scuba diving, kayaking, island cultures, peaceful sunrises, and experiences that shape a family forever.

This is a story about building a life aligned with our values. We do not know exactly what this year will bring, but we know it will bring us together in ways that matter. Thanks for following along as we trade comfort and routine for adventure and growth to discover what’s possible beyond the shoreline.