We Went to Aruba as Friends and Came Home as Family

Sometimes the best journeys are the ones you never planned.

Several months ago, a trip to Aruba was posted in the Long Island Seniors Facebook group. Each of us signed up individually. We all wanted to experience Aruba for our own reasons. For some, it was a bucket-list destination. For others, it was simply a chance to get away and enjoy a week in paradise.

What none of us knew was who would actually be going.

When we finally learned that six single women from Long Island would be sharing the adventure, we were excited. Little did we know that by the end of the trip, we would become much more than travel companions.

Our home for the week was the Riu Palace Antillas, an all-inclusive resort nestled along Aruba’s beautiful coastline. From the very beginning, there was an easy chemistry among us. We spent time together and apart, sharing dinners, relaxing by the pool, strolling along the beach, and enjoying excursions throughout the island. There were no expectations, no pressure, and no clinginess. Everyone was free to do what they wanted, when they wanted. Somehow, that freedom made our friendships even stronger.

As the week unfolded, I began to appreciate what each woman brought to our group.

Carrie Covino was steadfast and reliable, the kind of friend you can always count on. Her favorite saying, “It’s meant to be,” seemed to perfectly describe our unexpected journey together.

Lissa Mayberger inspired us with her positivity and discipline. Every morning, while many vacationers were still sleeping, Lissa was up working out before heading off to enjoy the day. She lives by the belief that when life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, you find a thousand reasons to smile and laugh.

Joanne Willis was the universal friend. Easygoing, compassionate, and thoughtful, she reminded us all that taking life one day at a time and doing the right thing still matters.

Christine Oster brought energy and enthusiasm wherever she went. We celebrated her birthday with dinner and cake, and she embraced every moment with joy. She also provided one of the week’s funniest memories when she surprised us all with an impromptu pole-dancing performance during a sunset cruise, leaving us laughing long after the sun had disappeared below the horizon.

Arlene Pedersen may be one of the sweetest women you’ll ever meet, but she also proved that adventure has no age limit. She climbed onto a jet ski by herself and reached an impressive 42 miles per hour, showing all of us that courage and determination never grow old.

As for me, I was the group’s self-appointed explorer. I toured De Palm Island to visit the flamingos, explored Eagle Beach, and, true to form, found opportunities everywhere to talk about my book, The Tradigital Grandma. Once a storyteller, always a storyteller.

One of the most memorable moments of the trip happened through pure serendipity. Dressed in white and heading to the beach for photos before our White Party, we happened to meet a young photographer named Rylee Imhof. What began as a chance encounter turned into a beautiful photo session that captured memories we will cherish forever. Carrie would probably tell you it wasn’t chance at all. It was simply meant to be.

The real magic of the trip, however, happened during the quiet moments. Over breakfast. Around the dinner table. During long conversations where stories were shared, laughter flowed freely, and friendships deepened.

We learned about each other’s lives, challenges, families, dreams, and philosophies. We listened without judgment. We supported one another. We respected our differences. We celebrated our similarities.

Somewhere along the way, I gave our group a name: The Six Appeals.

Each woman brought her own unique appeal, her own strengths, wisdom, and personality. Together, those qualities created something special.

What struck me most was that at a stage in life when many people believe new friendships are difficult to find, six women proved otherwise. Friendship doesn’t have an expiration date. Neither does adventure.

Arlene’s inspiration comes from the poem “Don’t Quit.” Mine comes from “The Dash,” the poem that reminds us that life is not measured by the date we are born or the date we leave this earth, but by what we do with the dash in between.

For one unforgettable week in Aruba, six Long Island women filled their dash with laughter, friendship, adventure, celebration, and connection.

We went as friends.

We came home as family.