Pause and Wander

We are a family of four pressing pause on the expected to wander toward the extraordinary.

The idea for this journey started long ago. Before our daughters were born. Before careers and commitments filled our calendars. Back in 2005, we met and discovered we had both traveled to Morocco that same year. A shared love for exploration and culture became a cornerstone of our relationship, nurtured by trips through South America and Southeast Asia. We dreamed then of taking a year to travel the world together. That dream took a backseat to school and careers, but it never disappeared.

Years later, with two curious and creative daughters in tow, the timing finally felt right. We wanted them to be old enough to remember the experience, carry their own packs, and take part in the adventure. But not so old that school pressure, sports schedules, or teenage distance might keep us from fully savoring this time together. So here we are. One family, in fourth and sixth grade, chasing a long-held dream and hoping to make it one of the most formative experiences of our lives.

We believe in curiosity, empathy, creativity, and resilience. We travel slowly and with intention, savoring food, wandering off the beaten path, and making space for the kinds of moments that do not show up on itineraries. We are not trying to see everything. We are trying to see deeply.

Maxell is a detail-loving maker with a background in finance who left his career to learn kitchen and bath remodeling and stay home with the kids. He finds joy in woodworking, biking, and slowing down.

Shaina is a deeply consistent and thoughtful presence: a physician by trade, and at her core an organizer, caregiver, and dreamer who’s excited to have the time to pick up a hobby just for fun.

Arya, age eleven, is a powerhouse of creativity and motion. She is an artist in many forms, a voracious reader, and an athlete with grit that shines when things get tough.

Finlee, age nine, moves through the world with whimsy and warmth. She sees beauty everywhere, delights in handmade treasures, and offers kindness at just the right moment.

We chose the name Pause and Wander because we believe that growth often begins when you step out of the grind. Wandering through the unfamiliar rekindles curiosity, builds patience, and invites adventure. This blog is where we will share our journey. Stories from the road. Reflections on family and travel. All the details that made this dream possible.

If our family can press pause and step away for a while, maybe yours can too.

Grit, curiosity, and patience will lead to grand adventures.