For as long as I can remember, I’ve known Kaia Costa. Well…okay not as long as I can remember, though it sure does feel like it because we met at the wonderful age of eight years old! We played on the same softball team, and one day after practice her mom was late to pick her up, which meant my dad (our coach) and I had to stay and wait for her to get picked up. While the three of us waited, Kaia and I did what any normal eight year olds would do, we did gymnastics on the bleachers while asking each other random questions. One of the questions was this, “When is your birthday?” Fighting over who was going to answer first, we went back and forth pointing fingers at who was older. I don’t know why, but being older than your friends is a huge flex at that age. Finally, after what felt like forever, she agreed to answer first, “September 28th, 2009!” My heart stopped. “THAT’S MY BIRTHDAY TOO!” The rest is history, and here we are about ten years later, still best friends since that one random Tuesday night.
Kaia is more than my best friend. She is family. I’m not talking about a relationship where she’s my sister, all I can say to describe it is: she’s family. Everywhere the Nunes family goes, Kaia is there too. Softball tournaments, family dinners, events, birthdays, and of course vacations! Eventually, Kaia just got added into our vacations, we don’t even ask anymore, and it definitely isn’t a question. Instead of a family of four, we have a family of five and we all like it so much better this way. We have been all over the place together, but here are my top three that I reminisce on the most.
- Hawaii
Fun fact…this one was actually me on HER family vacation (but it still counts). I miss this trip so much. The beautiful air, the salty clear water, the amazing food. I could not have had a better experience on this trip. I’ve only been once, and I hope to go again. All my life I dreamed of going to Hawaii, and Kaia made my dream come true! We made friends with some couple that owned a shave ice shop and it made the trip so much better. We went practically every night (unless I was eating my mango ice cream from the ABC Stores). On our last night, I even bought a shirt from them! This trip is 100% one of the most memorable trips with Kaia.
- DisneyLand and San Diego
Okay I know this is two…but they go together because it was a two week long vacation! We started with a week in San Diego, soaking up the sun and lying out in our resort’s private lagoon drinking shirley temples and mango smoothies all day. We ate at the best places and visited the coolest shops! Lots of money was spent in La Jolla…And that wasn’t even all! After that week, we went to DisneyLand! Disney is my favorite place on earth. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Disney. It was Kaia’s first time in California Adventure, and her second time in the main DisneyLand park. She loved it so much. Getting to take her to our favorite snack places and rides truly made sure that I would never forget those four days.
- Beach House
Best for last right? DUH! Growing up my family had a tradition of going to a beach house in Pajaro Dunes. After a few years, Kaia and her sister joined us! It was a week that we spent together literally on top of the beach. We practically grew up here, every single summer we would go. Some of my favorite memories exist from this trip, the beautiful sunsets, the walks to ice cream, waking up early to swim, and staying up late to watch movies. The list could go on, but I believe these trips changed Kaia and my friendship and grew us together even more.
I could go on about the precious vacations we have had. However, these are my top three to look back on and reminisce about. I’m so blessed to have a best friend I can experience this with.