It all began with a gentle nudge—an invitation to celebrate Friedel’s 70th birthday at his vineyard in Germany. That alone felt magical, but the universe had more in store. A dream opportunity appeared: to sail a wooden racing boat in St. Tropez along the Mediterranean Sea with Edwardo, a friend of my partner Matt. The synchronicity was undeniable—our highest selves gave a resounding yes. Enter Stephanie Stratton, who I met through a business class and who became absolutely essential to this journey. Through Bucket List Travel, Stephanie helped shape this trip into a masterpiece. She and Matt worked closely, navigating a whirlwind of changes with grace, patience, and care. No matter how many times the plan shifted, Stephanie was our steady guide. Then, the unexpected happened—our original flight was canceled and replaced with one leaving an hour earlier. While we slept, Stephanie was already on it. At 2 a.m., she alerted us to the change, and thanks to her, we made it to the airport with plenty of time.