Introduction

We (Bailey and Sheryl) set out on an adventure that would become one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. As close friends and colleagues, we’ve spent years talking about joy as a core life skill, but this time we wanted to live it. So, on a bright morning in Las Vegas, we packed up our car, took a deep breath, and began a 12-day road trip to New York City and back. We called it our Living JOYELY Ever After journey, a playful nod to our mission of knowing and prioritizing joy in every chapter of life.

From the very first mile, we knew this trip was about more than just covering ground. It was about embracing the unknown, finding safety in our travels, staying present in each moment, and discovering joy in the journey. Over those twelve days, we camped under the stars, drove through bustling cities and quiet towns, and shared countless cups of coffee and conversations. What we experienced went beyond any itinerary – it touched our hearts and changed us in ways we never expected.

Safety (Read our Science of Safety article for further understanding)

Hitting the open road was exhilarating, but it also meant stepping out of our comfort zones. Early on, we realized how important it was to create a sense of safety for ourselves. Not just physical safety (like checking the car and planning our routes) but emotional safety with each other. We promised to be honest about our needs, to speak up if we were uncomfortable or tired, and to support one another no matter what. This mutual understanding became the foundation of our journey – a safety net we carried with us everywhere.

One night in Colorado, we set up camp in Vail, right by the Colorado River. As we lay on our backs gazing up at a sky full of stars, we felt surprisingly secure. The vast night sky could have made us feel tiny or exposed, but instead it felt like a cozy blanket. The gentle rush of the river and the crisp mountain air made us feel cared for by nature. We realized that safety can come from these simple moments – a clear night, a trusted friend by your side, and the feeling that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

Safety also found us in the kindness of others. About halfway through our journey, we rolled into Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where an old friend welcomed us like family. We spent the afternoon on her porch, sipping strawberry lemonade and watching bluejays and red finches dance in her bird feeders. In that moment, far from our own home, we felt completely at home. The familiar laughter, the warm hugs, and the comfort of being with people who cared about us – it was the kind of emotional safety that reminds us that we belong. Moments like these gave us the confidence to continue our adventure, knowing that we could find little “safe zones” wherever we went.

Presence

If there’s one thing a long road trip teaches you, it’s to slow down and be present. We often found ourselves rushing in our normal lives, but on the road, time had a different rhythm.

One morning, near the Delaware Water Gap on the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border, we pulled over by a trailhead of the Appalachian Trail. Instead of hurrying back on the highway, we decided to take our time. We ordered a Everything Bagel and sat in the corner of the Mystic Cafe, amidst the row of trees on the quiet street corner. The world around us was so still and quiet.. Being present in that simple moment – not thinking about the past or the next destination – made it feel like time had paused just for us.

City life offered its own lessons in presence. When we reached Chicago, we spent an afternoon walking down Michigan Avenue, in awe of the towering buildings and the energy buzzing on the streets. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd in a city, but we made a little pact to truly experience it rather than rush through. We window-shopped, tasted some famous deep-dish pizza, and sat by the fountain in Millennium Park just people-watching.

We remember giggling at a street performer’s antics and feeling the splash of the fountain’s mist on our faces. Instead of our minds wandering, we focused on here and now: the vibrant colors of the storefronts, the mix of languages we heard from passersby, the delicious aroma of roasted nuts from a vendor’s cart. By grounding ourselves in the moment, we discovered a profound sense of peace even in the middle of a bustling city.

Nature kept bringing us back to presence, too. In Hickory Run State Park in the Poconos, we camped among tall trees and soft moss. One evening, as dusk settled, we drove into the campgrounds, and suddenly spotted a black bear in the distance. We both froze, not out of fear (okay, maybe a tiny bit of fear!) but out of awe. The bear was unaware of us, lumbering peacefully across the trail before disappearing into the woods. For those few seconds, nothing else existed. After it was gone, we looked at each other and burst into amazed laughter – we couldn’t believe what we’d just seen! That encounter made us feel incredibly alive and present, fully aware of how wild and beautiful the world can be when you pay attention.

Joy

Our journey overflowed with moments of pure joy – both the big, celebratory kind and the quiet, everyday kind. About a week into our trip, we reached New York City, which was a destination we’d been eagerly anticipating. That night, we treated ourselves to a Broadway show, Moulin Rouge! The theater lights, the incredible performances, the music – we were on the edge of our seats, clapping and singing along. We caught ourselves grinning ear to ear, and at one point, I (Bailey) glanced over to see Sheryl wiping away a happy tear during a particularly beautiful song. It was the kind of joy that fills you up and reminds us why we embarked on this adventure in the first place.

Some joys were more personal and nostalgic. Driving through Iowa on our way back west, we took a detour to visit the Field of Dreams in Dyersville – the actual cornfield baseball diamond from the movie. As huge fans of that film, standing there felt surreal. We tossed a baseball back and forth, laughing at our own clumsy catches and quoting our favorite lines from the movie. It was a lighthearted, playful joy, like being kids again for an afternoon. We left with dirt on our shoes and smiles that wouldn’t quit.

Then there were the spontaneous joys that caught us by surprise. Somewhere on the endless plains of Nebraska, our energy was fading. The road was long, and the scenery was just wide-open sky and fields to the horizon. To keep our spirits up, we rolled down the windows and decided to belt out some music. Our pick was Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season,” a song we both loved. We sang at the top of our lungs, the wind whipping through the car, probably way off-key. It felt ridiculous and wonderful all at once. By the time the song ended, we were laughing uncontrollably. That silly sing-along turned into one of our favorite memories – a reminder that joy often hides in the most ordinary moments, like a song on the radio during a flat stretch of highway.

Joy also found us in connections with people. Besides our friend in Pennsylvania, NY and NJ,  we met so many kind people and made new friends along the way. There was the retired couple at a campground in Colorado who shared their s’mores with us and told hilarious stories of their own travels. Or the hiker at Delaware Water Gap who cheerfully gave us tips on the best view for sunrise. Each interaction, no matter how brief, added lifetimes of moments to cherish. . We were continually amazed at how generosity and smiles seemed to be contagious on the open road.

Coming Home

After 12 days, thousands of miles, and countless memories, we finally saw the familiar skyline of Las Vegas on the horizon. Home again. We parked the car and just sat there for a moment, letting it sink in that our great adventure was over. Stepping back into our daily lives felt different now – because we were different. We had set out to live JOYELY Ever After, and along the way we discovered what that really meant. To us, it means understanding that joy isn’t a destination at all; it’s a way of traveling. It’s something you carry with you, a mindset you nurture by first feeling safe and then being present. When those pieces are in place, joy blossoms almost effortlessly.

This journey changed us in subtle and profound ways. We came back with a deeper trust in ourselves and each other. We learned that we’re capable of handling the unexpected, and that there is so much good in the world when you open yourself to it. We realized that even after the road trip ended, the spirit of what we lived during those twelve days could continue every day. That’s what JOYELY Ever After means to us now – to know joy with a mom and daughter relationship, to live intentionally and consistently, even as we jump back into work, chores, and normal routines. It’s about carrying that sense of wonder we felt under the Vail stars or on that Chicago sidewalk into our everyday life.

Before this trip, we often talked about the JQ Emotions Map and JOYELY  in a theoretical way. Now, joy feels deeply personal – it’s the laughter we shared, the tears of happiness, the goosebumps from a beautiful view, and the warmth of a friend’s embrace. It’s all real, and it’s ours to keep.

Our road trip may have come to an end, but our journey with joy is really only just beginning in our renewed relationship.. We hope that by sharing our story, you feel inspired to seek out your own adventures, big or small.

What does your version using your JOY Intelligence™ look like? Maybe it’s a cross-country drive, a quiet camping night under the stars, a reunion with friends, or simply carving out a few minutes each day to do something that makes you smile. Whatever it is, we encourage you to go after it. Joy is not waiting for you on the other side of fear, routine, or doubt – it is IN the fear, worry and doubt.  Once you decide to take small calculated chances, it can change everything.

As we settle back into life at home, we carry a piece of that road trip in our hearts. In every sunset, every cup of coffee, every familiar face, we see an opportunity to live JOYELY Ever After. And the best part? We’re not keeping it to ourselves. We invite you to join us – share your stories, take your own leap, into safety, presence and JOY, all of which make life a living sandbox.. Here’s to living JOYELY Ever After, together.