What I Want to Say to You
Thanksgiving is an important holiday for me. Unlike many families, we don’t have any set traditions, but it has still always been special. When I was a child we would always spend the day with my grandparents and cousins, but as we all grew older that stopped happening as often. Jasmine, Shawn Reece and I have spent Thanksgiving at home by ourselves, at the houses of relatives and even on the road. No matter where we have been it has been special. This year we will be with my brothers who both also had babies this year!
I can’t talk about being thankful without first mentioning my wife Jasmine and son Shawn Reece. They are my true travel partners and have been an inspiration to me. We have literally seen the world together and I look forward to all of our future adventures. This year we welcomed Elizabeth Skye into the family and I am so excited for her first holiday season. She has been a true blessing and to say “I am in love” would be an understatement.
Of course I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for all of you as well. A couple of years ago I left my high stress job without any clear path as to what to do next. Thankfully I was able to use my background and knowledge to start this blog. Through some of 2013 & all of 2014 I worked daily on the blog without getting paid much of anything. 2015 has seen it grow to new levels of readership each and every month and that is something I am truly humbled by. I also started working with Greg the Frequent Miler early this year as well. That work and personal relationship is one I am deeply grateful for.
This is a personal blog and thus I put a lot of myself into everything you see and read. I share my life, my insights and my experiences with the hope that it means something to you. My goal has always been to help people and I strive to do my best in that area. Sometimes the deals and things discussed here are trivial compared to the bigger issues of the world, but that is alright. We are all doing something that we love. Whether you love getting a good deal or scoring a “free” first class ticket, we all have something fantastic in common.
One of my greatest joys this past year has been to see a community grow around the site. I hear from readers all of the time and have forged relationships with many of you. I have also had the pleasure of meeting quite a few of you either in conferences or in some cases on airplanes! How cool is that? By the way, if you see me then please introduce yourself. I am very shy. I might be standing in a corner, but that is just the introvert in me. I want to meet you!
I also need to thank a few people who have helped the site tremendously this year with their contributions. PDX Deals Guy has come to be a good friend and he wowed me with a few fantastic articles about topics you don’t see covered often. Tom Fakes stepped in to cover Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and Noah did a wonderful job with his Travel Hacking Trips for Two series. Then there is my friend RD Sussmann. He has stepped up time and time again to provide insightful editorials about the aviation industry and its history. I simply love his writing and I believe you do too.
To close, please let me say thank you. Thank you for supporting this site and for taking the time to read what I write. Thank you for visiting and for helping others in the comments. Thank you for sending me tips and correcting me when I make a mistake. Most importantly thanks for allowing me to make a career out of doing what I love. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I’ll be back tomorrow with the usual stuff.
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Not sure I will ever have a traditional thnaksgiving again, too many travel options on a week like this.
Shawn, it was good to meet you in October in Vegas. I can see your passion for what you do. Best wishes and Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your family.
Thanks Carl! Happy belated Thanksgiving to you too!
It was great meeting you at the MtM event in September. I very much enjoy your site and insight. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Shawn!
Thanks Henry!
Shawn –
Thank you for your honesty and down to earth blog. You’re one of the best.
Blessings for you and your family. Enjoy and treasure days like today…
~From your extended hobby family
Thank you!
Very nice of you to mention me, but whatever contributions I’ve made have been in an attempt to thank you for your efforts, insights, and assistance. There are lots of good blogs out there, but your combination of great content (both travel and deals) and authenticity certainly cause you to stand out.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Thanks for everything you have done on the site and for the occasional deal tip as well!
I find your blog the most useful of nearly everyone I follow. Thanks for all your hard work.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Thanks Lindy!