Hey my travel besties!
So, you know how sometimes the best trips are the completely unplanned ones? Well, grab your favorite drink because this story is WILD!
It started with Tom's sister calling about a cancelled wedding venue for their vow renewal ceremony (yep, drama!). Within an hour, my angels at AwayBNB had somehow worked their magic and found us Villa Maud in St. Barths. What was supposed to be a small ceremony turned into the most epic family reunion ever!
You all know Emma's been doing her art program in Paris (still can't believe my baby's in college! ðŸ˜), so when she said she could hop over with three of her art school friends, this mama's heart nearly burst! But wait - it gets better! Tom's sister's family, my parents (who haven't traveled in AGES), and our cousins from Canada all made it!
This villa! Y'all, it's like it was MADE for our chaos! Five stunning bedrooms, and get this - each with its own bathroom (literally a lifesaver when you have three art students who apparently need an hour each to perfect their "natural" look 😅).
The real MVP of this trip? The outdoor spaces! That heated pool became our family's unofficial meeting spot. Picture this: my dad, who hasn't worn anything but suits for 30 years, floating around on a unicorn pool float (yes, I have photos, and yes, they're already framed 🤣).
Emma and her friends set up this incredible art station on the terrace, turns out those St. Barths views are pretty inspiring! They actually sold some of their sketches at the local market (proud mom moment!).
The kitchen became Mom's domain (you all know her famous Sunday roasts from my old blog posts) - but with a twist! She and Tom's sister had this friendly competition going with the outdoor BBQ. Let's just say the family gained a few happy pounds!
Location-wise? PERFECTION! We're talking 2 minutes from Nikki Beach, where - plot twist - my usually shy Tom ended up winning their weekend dance contest (I have videos, but he'd kill me if I shared 🤫).
Best moments:
- Emma and her friends teaching my mom TikTok dances by the pool
- Impromptu family talent show on the terrace (what happens in St. Barths...)
- Daily sunset gatherings that turned into storytelling sessions
At $1,200 per night, split between families, we got this absolute gem that turned a potential wedding disaster into the most memorable family reunion! The villa's size meant everyone had their space when needed (crucial for family harmony, am I right? 😉).
Special shoutout to AwayBNB for:
- Finding us this perfect villa at the last minute
- Arranging the surprise anniversary dinner
- Coordinating everyone's arrivals from different countries
- Stocking the kitchen with everyone's favorites (even my dad's specific coffee brand!)
You know what made my heart melt? Seeing three generations of our family, plus Emma's friends from all over the world, sharing stories on that beautiful terrace under the stars. Those are the moments you can't plan, but when they happen... pure magic! ✨
For those asking about our usual travel tips - yes, the villa has everything: gym (the cousins used it, we watched), fancy kitchen gadgets (mom was in heaven), and enough space that no one felt crowded.
Drop a comment if you've had any family reunion adventures - you know I love our sharing sessions!
P.S. My dad's already planning next year's reunion. Who is this man and what has St. Barths done to him?! 🌅✨