Saying Yes to the Moments You Don’t Expect

This past weekend, we took Eden and her boyfriend to the Vans Warped Tour, a 2-day music festival featuring over 100 bands on six stages. Although we enjoyed some of the bands and reminisced as we jammed to a few of the tour's originals 30 years ago, it’s not exactly our music scene.

But at the end of last year, when the tickets went on sale, Renee bought the family four-pack without even knowing which bands would be playing. There were rumors of a few groups from her own youth, and that alone made it feel like a fun family adventure to say yes to.

We had pictured the four of us going together as a family…

But then Xen decided he didn’t want to go, and instead of forcing it or making it a “family obligation,” we let him choose what felt right for him. That’s been a big part of raising our teenagers lately: letting them express who they are, what they enjoy, and what they don’t.

So our family four-pack turned into three of us plus Eden’s boyfriend, and it turned out to be even better than we expected.

Renee:

The concert was loud, emotional, packed, and nothing like what we’d usually choose. And yet… it was powerful.

You could feel this deep sense of community. The message woven through the music. The shared energy among people who clearly live and breathe this scene.

It wasn’t “our” world, but it was a beautiful thing to witness through Eden’s eyes.

There’s something special about stepping into someone else’s passion, even when it isn’t your own. It doesn’t disconnect you, it expands you. Sometimes, connection looks like standing beside someone you love while they experience joy in their own way.

Mark:

We were both ALWAYS going to go, but we hadn’t anticipated just how grateful we’d be to experience it together.

Even when we feel comfortable doing things solo (and we often do), everything feels easier and more fun when we’re side by side, whether it’s running events, building our business, raising twins, or standing in a stadium full of unfamiliar music… support matters.

Not because we need it to function, but because it softens the edges of life. And the moments when things go sideways? Those are the moments when partnership shines the most.

Renee:

The first night, we couldn’t find the bus to the off-site parking at all. We kept walking toward the car with no end in sight, and the area didn’t feel the safest. People were struggling to get Ubers, the crowd was thinning, and the whole situation just felt… off.

Then we spotted a taxi. Just sitting there. Light on. In the middle of nowhere.

That felt like our sign.

I sent Mark over to see if he’d take us, and not only did he give us a ride, he gave us a deal and talked with us the whole way back. It was one of those unexpected little gifts that makes you feel taken care of by the universe.

Mark:

The second night was something entirely different. Long lines. Buses taking forever. About 30 people cutting ahead like they invented VIP access.

We looked at each other, and without saying a word, we both knew: We are not doing this again.

That’s how we ended up taking a rickshaw to the car.

Wind in our faces. Music echoing behind us. Eden laughing. Her boyfriend holding her hand. We're looking at each other like, “Well… this is definitely a first.”

It wasn’t the plan. But it was perfect.

Mark and Renee:

This whole experience, the kids choosing for themselves, the community we stepped into, the spontaneous rides home, reminded us of something important:

Some of the best memories come from the moments you didn’t plan, didn’t expect, and wouldn’t have chosen on your own… but said yes to because you love someone.

It reminded us to:

• Stay flexible
• Let our kids be who they are
• Step into experiences that stretch us
• Appreciate the small surprises
• Make room for joy even when it looks different than what we imagined

As we head into Thanksgiving week, we’re feeling grateful for:

• Adventures that turn into stories
• Community in unexpected places
• The support we give and receive
• Our growing kids and their individuality
• And the experiences that remind us what really matters