Friday, December 13th, 2019 was one the most exciting nights Omar and I have ever had.
You see, we've been following a Youtube and Instagram account for about 3 years called The Bucket List Family! They are journalists now composed of mom (Jessica), dad (Garrett) and 3 children: Dorothy, Manilla and Cali. Together they travel the world seeking adventure, culture experiences and opportunities to serve. An exemplar family that make it all too easy for you to fall in love with their caring ways.
Every year they choose 12 lucky families amongst their followers and gift them once in a life time trips; from wherever to wherever. The first year I participated, I wrote a quirky one minute song but, was unlucky. Yes, I was a little bummed that I didn't win BUT, there's no way you can't feel overjoyed after learning about the well deserving, winning family.
This was my Instagram post: LOL
The second year however, was a different story.
Early December 2019, my brother received 2 tickets from "work" to see the Philadelphia 76ers basketball game. He nonchalantly offered the tickets to us because he knew that my husband was a fan of the NBA. We were having so much fun simply sitting next to each other with no kids, a well overdue date.
A couple minutes later, the game host “randomly" selected us saying, "your seats have been chosen" to be the Fans of the Night! Immediately I panicked thinking they would ask me a basketball question that I wouldn’t know the answer too. My husband knowing me as well as he does, leans over and whispers, “babe, we are in Philadelphia and so we’re rooting for the 76ers. If they ask you who your favorite player is, say Simmons." I wasn't sure if I should have felt offended or laugh in acceptance of reality but, I chose the latter.
Half time begins and we show up on the big screen. They give us our goodie bags and tell us to open them. Then all of a sudden the announcer said, "Wait a second! There's one more thing."Then we noticed GARRETT GEE from THE BUCKET LIST FAMILY was standing in front of us! He PROPOSED we go to Zanzibar!...and of course, we gladly said, YES!
I could not believe my eyes! It was him! I literally looked him up and down checking off the items of his attire that I’d seen him wear in the videos: Bandana? Check. T-Shirt? Check. Tevas? -in mid December? Check. It was really him! I have to say I didn’t expect him to be so tall, but there he was. There was Manilla -as authentic as the videos.To be honest, at this point it still hadn't registered that Garrett was the one that bought us tickets to the basketball game. I was really caught off guard! I also sympathized for him having to travel so much with Manilla that I offered to ditch the game and take them out to eat. LOL It wasn't until later that I thought to myself: hey you goof! He bought those awesome seats for this game! How are you going to just ditch this game? Haha. (Sorry Garrett!)
Anyway, this whole time Garrett had been in contact with my brother, scheming how to get us to that game. He planned it all, from posting deceiving stories claiming they were going to San Antonio, TX when, in reality they were on their way to surprise us in Philadelphia, PA. It was absolutely well played.
We are so grateful for this experience, not to mention the vacation that awaits! Thank you Bucket List Family for allowing us to experience the world and broadening our traveling horizons. You change this world one life at a time, not only with your awesome gifts but with your way of life. I can only wish more people in this world follow your lead. We know we will.
Sincerely,
Your Friends in La Casa Paganini
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Luckily, we vlogged our experience that same day we were surprised so that we would remember it forever, though we had no intention of posting. Since we've received some questions about it, we figured why not share it? I hope you enjoy it.
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