20-fine. The Finale.

Twenty-fine isn’t only about being physically fine. It’s about elevation. It’s about experiences. It’s about working on myself internally, and rewarding myself (for that work) externally. It’s about allowing myself to enjoy the finer things in life.

These past couple of years, I’ve made it a point to spend my birthday with nobody but me and my God. Last year, I quietly traveled to Africa, not telling a soul, until I’d landed 9 time zones away. This year, once again not sharing my plans in advance, I was going to spend December 8th riding down the Pacific Coast on my bicycle, from Los Angeles to San Diego, or even on down to Mexico if the wind blew me that far south. (Extenuating circumstances postponed this, but I’ll still be doing it in celebration of a new year of life.)

Anyway, I say this to say, I haven’t burdened anyone with the anniversary of my birth in a while, and was going to continue in this manner until marriage, or some other life-changing event, but while I was out at sea recently, The Spirit led me otherwise.

I still won’t depend on anyone else to celebrate me, but I will invite others to celebrate with me.

I’ll be bidding my twenties farewell in the Caribbean and it would be a blessing to have people, that contributed to this decade of life, there to help me close it out.

Back in 2018, I found a luxury, Black-owned, private villa and started sketching out what a trip to this island, that I’d never been to before, would be. The people with whom I shared the idea weren’t able to make it happen, so I let it go… but it’s come back to me, and I’m not letting it go this time. I’m going to make this happen.

In addition to not having had a large gathering for my birthday since my 21st, it’s also been a minute since a big group girls’ trip! Those of you that went to UL with me know that I was good for planning a trip for us in college. Some of us still rank that Spring Break 2015 trip I organized for 20 girls as one of our best! Whew, the stories, child…

It’s a lot of work, but I’m up for the challenge. The stress is worth the laughter that will ensue, and the headaches are worth the memories that will be made.

So, I’ve been in correspondence with the owner of that luxury villa I found back in 2018, and reserved dates for December 2022!

Okay, you all know I’m long-winded, and have to give the backstory of everything. Now that that’s done, let me tell you about this world-class luxury villa!

Join me in this private villa paradise!

Wednesday, December 7th thru Monday, December 12th

The Villa

• 7 individual suites

• spectacular countryside and ocean views

• set table for seated, poolside gazebo dining

• infinity pool

• tennis court

• bar/lounge

• gym

• spa

Catering to you

• private chef

• cook

• butler

• butler assistant

• housekeepers

• nightwatchman

• driver

Aspects of the experience

• daily: breakfast/brunch, light poolside lunch, full table dinners

• open bar serving island’s signature rum punch, and other cocktails

• rooftop yoga session led by professional instructor

• a sunset dinner cruise

• a rooftop party with live band, and a professional photographer

• chauffeuring around the island for options of sightseeing, beach, tax-free shopping, water sports, cultural tours, etc.

This is only an overview. Further details will be given to those coming on the trip. And how do we know who’s coming?

travel magazine excerpt doting on this awe-inspiring property

Money talks. Let’s talk it.

One thing is for sure, we have to get there.

Flights

I’ve been doing research and it’s looking as though flights will be around $500, if we start paying on them as soon as the airline begins accepting December 2022 reservations (a year out is too far in advance). The major airline that flies into this island offers a bulk rate on tickets purchased together going to/from the same location, when it’s 10 or more travelers. As you all may know, Florida is right above the Caribbean islands, so we’ll all meet in Miami and then fly to/from the island together. I’ll collect everyone’s airfare and book for us as a group to get the discounted group rate. Landing and departing from the island together will not only save us money on airfare, it’ll also save us on land travel across the island to get from the airport region to the tourist/resort region where the villa is located.

(I can book the flight from your city to Miami too, if you would like, but because that part is optional, I’m only including the flight to the island in the total trip estimate.)

Villa

The villa package outlined is $4900 per night with a 5-night minimum. That nightly cost divided by the maximum of 14 guests is $350. And since we’re staying 5 nights, that’s $1750/person.

So, the flight + villa is looking like

only $2,050 total!

6 payments of $341

In summary, this estimate includes:

• airfare from Miami to the island

• transportation to/from the airport on the island

• 5-night, 6-day stay at world-class luxury villa with amenities

• an individual suite that you’ll only share w/ 1 person

• unlimited alcoholic beverages (rum punch provided by villa, additional bottles of liquor provided by me)

• food (meals included with villa package, additional groceries/snacks provided by me)

What you need to have outside of this package:

• a passport

• spending money for desires of your heart you may have on the island (souvenirs, tipping the locals for service on an excursion, etc.)

• cash/Zelle/ApplePay to eat out for dinner one night at a restaurant that only exists on the island (separate checks aren’t an option for large parties at high-end restaurants)

Ready for the fine-ally?

As aforementioned, the maximum number of guests allowed to stay at the villa is 14. I’m sending this link to 50 girls. Y’all know how people are all talk and don’t be ‘bout nothing. Or, they’ll be ‘bout something, but unorganized or irresponsible and end up having to drop out. (No exaggeration, I went on one of my girlfriends’ 25th birthday trip a few years ago, it started out with 20 confirmed girls in the group message, but only 4 of us made it to Cancun. People are fickle.) Soooooooo, I figure if I cast a wide net, I ought to catch ‘bout 14 that are really ‘bout what they be talkin’ bout and are able and willing to do what they have to do to make it happen.

People have told me they want to take trips “like me”, or do this and that, and every adult I know has set the goal of “traveling more” at some point, so, here’s a chance. We’ll see what y’all ‘bout.

And trust me, I understand, sometimes you just can’t.

December 2022 may not be a good time for you, whether it’s the lack of ability or the lack of will, or you have a legitimate reason. Maybe you’re giving birth or graduating from your master’s program that weekend. Or, your husband’s birthday is also December 8th *[cough, cough]* Bria! Or, your girls’ trip vacation slot for the year could already be taken. Or maybe it’s simply that you don’t f*ck with me like that (which too is understandable; I still love you.)

Whatever it is, I understand.

I would like to see who strongly believes they can make it. Respond below so I can gage who’s interested and we can go forward from there.

(The first 14 people to pay will secure their spots at the villa. In the rare event that more than 14 people pay a deposit, depending on how many people it is, I can find a condo or something nearby for y’all, if you’d like, and then y’all can still come over to the villa for the rooftop party, come on the dinner boat cruise, etc.)

Aiming to secure all 14 spots by the end of January, and from there, the other 5 payments will be due monthly.