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Maverick Family Life

Intentional weekends, date nights, and getaways for stronger marriages

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    • Family Travel
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maverickfamilylife

👉🏼Helping busy parents reconnect w/ dates & meaningful getaways
160+ family trips | 35+ kid-free getaways
Plan your next kid-free wknd👇🏼

An evening celebrating women who build, lead, and An evening celebrating women who build, lead, and lift others up. 🌷

Last night my friend @caroline.cannici and I attended the 7th annual TogetHER event at the stunning @hydehousepublicstudio in @hydeparkvillage , and it was such an inspiring way to celebrate Women’s History Month.

There was a powerhouse panel of women! From an author @ayanagabriellelage to a yoga studio @the.shack.life entrepreneur, nonprofit CEO (Patty O’Leary), and marketing agency @teliaagency founder - who shared insights on mentorship, getting over impostor syndrome, juggling motherhood & business, and the importance of women supporting other women.

Loved shopping the vendors in attendance: @stoneyclover , @kendrascott , @albisiajewelry , @reformation, and @visage.elan . 

Add in curated bites from @eatforbici , tea from @buddybrewcoffee , drinks from @bouzytampa , and the cutest gift bag, and it was such a special night!

Grateful for spaces that bring women together for conversation, connection, and community. 🤍

#TampaEvents #HydeParkVillage #WomensHistoryMonth #TampaBayEvents #TampaBayEntrepreneur
Birth order hiking personalities are VERY real. O Birth order hiking personalities are VERY real.

Oldest: responsible trail leader.
Middle: chaotic forest goblin collecting sticks.
Youngest: somehow ends up getting carried every time.

Tell me your kids’ birth order personalities 👇🏼
Road trip sounds 🚗 Road trip sounds 🚗
If you’re in the middle school or little kid trenc If you’re in the middle school or little kid trenches right now—sports, toddlers, early bedtimes, homework help, snack requests every 12 minutes, and calendars that revolve around school pickup or extracurriculars, you don’t have to wait 10 years to reconnect with your husband.

You deserve time together now, not just when the kids are older. 

Even one kid-free weekend a year or a simple staycation in your own city can do wonders for your marriage!

You talk more, laugh more, & remember why you liked each other in the first place.

Your kids benefit from seeing a marriage that’s prioritized, not postponed.

If planning a getaway feels overwhelming right now, I’ve got you! 

I put together done-for-you weekend getaway itineraries to make it easy.

👉🏼Grab them through the link in my bio
POV: you found the cutest drink on the beach and n POV: you found the cutest drink on the beach and now it’s your entire personality. 🥥

We found the cutest little shack right outside the @thehiatuscurio , just steps from the sand — and yes, we absolutely turned it into a full coconut photoshoot.

The @coconutshackclearwater serves freshly cracked organic coconuts flown in from Costa Rica. You can sip them as-is with fresh coconut water (hello beach mocktail 👏🏼) or level it up into a cocktail. We got a mojito mocktail and a margarita mocktail. 

Cold, refreshing, + hydrating. Basically mandatory on a hot Florida beach day.

Tampa locals 👉🏼 You don’t need a flight to feel like you’re on vacation. Park, grab a coconut, walk across the street to the beach, and suddenly it’s giving “tropical getaway” energy.

Tag who you’re getting a coconut with! 🏝️ 🥥
The ocean. The ocean is my favorite color. 🩵💙 Next The ocean. The ocean is my favorite color. 🩵💙
Next question.
Chai (or coffee) first. Then a little shopping. An Chai (or coffee) first. Then a little shopping. And just like that your whole personality improves. 

These Tampa Bay coffee shops understood the assignment by attaching boutiques:
• @thecosacollective 
• @oxfordexchange 
• @perfectpresscoffeeco 
• @crema_cafe_dunedin 
• @grovesurfandcoffee 
• @pouranddecorstpete 

“I just stopped for a latte” and left with a candle, a dress, and zero regrets.

Save this for your next coffee date… or solo morning. ☕️
Your kids are watching your marriage. Every hug. Your kids are watching your marriage.

Every hug.
Every kiss.
Every bum grab. 
Every time you choose each other.

What feels “gross” to them now is actually giving them security.
It shows them marriage is safe.
It shows them what to look for one day.

The greatest gift you can give your kids is the example of a loving, Christ-centered marriage. 

Even if they pretend to hate all the PDA. 😉

Save this as a reminder to love on your spouse in front of the kids today.
We’ve been dating our way around Tampa Bay for ove We’ve been dating our way around Tampa Bay for over a year now—and these are some of our favorites so far. Doing our part to keep date night alive. 🍴

📍 Clearwater Beach
• The Cove at Shepard’s – sunset views + toes-in-the-sand @shephardsresort 
• Columbia Restaurant – classic, romantic; get the famous salad @columbiarestaurant 
• Tate Island Grill – laid-back luxury on the beach; pita bread w/hummus is a must @sandpearlresort 
• Sandbar at Opal Sands – cocktails with a perfect Gulf sunset backdrop, look for dolphins @sandbar_opalsands 

📍 Tampa
• On Swann – trendy, upscale, and worth the hype; get the kale salad! @onswann 
• Hales Blackbrick – bold flavors and date-night-worthy vibes; chicken & yellow rice was ah-maze-ing @halesblackbrick 
• Oxford Exchange – bright, beautiful, feels like a getaway @oxfordexchange 
• Salt Shack on the Bay – casual waterfront perfection, go for sunset @saltshacktampa 

📍 Oldsmar
• Shaker & Peel – fun, modern, and amazing drinks @shakerandpeel 
• Craft Street Kitchen – elevated comfort food, we keep going back for the short rib sweet potato tots @craftstreet_oldsmar 
• Martin’s Italian – Italian food done right, Chef Butta’s meatballs are delish @martinsitalian 
• Fat Beet Farm – charming, fresh, and a hidden gem (technically Tampa) @fatbeetfarm 

📍 Safety Harbor
• Cafe Vino Tinto – cozy @cafe.vino.tinto 
• The Brinehouse – incredible flavors @brinehousesh 
• Screaming Jalapeño – casual, fun @thescreamingjalapeno 
• Water Oak Grill – intimate, loved the filet tips @wateroakgrill 

📍 Dunedin
• The Living Room on Main – cozy, amazing flavors, loved the Brussels @thelivingroom_fl 
• Crown and Bull – lively, outdoor dining @crownandbull 
• Highland House – elevated dining @highlandhousefl 
• Sonder Social Club – speakeasy vibes and craft cocktails, light bites @sonder_social_club 

📍 St. Pete
• Noble Crust – Southern + Italian magic @noblecrust 
• Spinners Rooftop Grille – iconic views (hope they’re back soon) @bellwetherbeachresort 
• Stillwaters Tavern – upscale but relaxed @stillwaterstavern 
• Bavaro’s – cozy + pizza @bavarospizza 

Save this post + follow for more Tampa Bay date ideas. 🤍
He’s the reason we have savings. I’m the reason we He’s the reason we have savings.
I’m the reason we have memories. ✈️
Most dates don’t happen because it’s convenient. T Most dates don’t happen because it’s convenient.
They happen because it’s important.

We’ve gone out when we were tired, when it felt like too much effort, when guilt tried to convince us to stay home.

Your marriage is worth the effort.

It’s worth protecting, even when it would be easier not to.

Save this as your reminder to go on the date anyway.
It’s not selfish to go on a kid-free trip. It’s an It’s not selfish to go on a kid-free trip. It’s an investment in the foundation of your family.

Your marriage comes before the kids. It’s shouldn’t be the afterthought.

Kid-free trips give you space to:
Fall in love again.
Laugh like you used to.
Remember you were husband and wife before you were mom and dad.

A strong, connected, Christ-centered marriage is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.

They’re watching.
They’re learning what love looks like.
They’re learning what commitment looks like.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for leaving the kids & taking a kid-free trip, this is your permission to stop. 🤍
We have visited 49 states (and many countries) wit We have visited 49 states (and many countries) with our kids, and I’ll be honest… it has gotten more challenging over the years to plan trips during school breaks and around travel sports schedules.

Here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t have to choose between raising committed athletes and raising kids who see the world.

Here are tips for making amazing travel memories:
1. Plan trips the minute school calendars (or sports schedules) are released. The earlier you plan, the better options you’ll have.

2. Use long weekends strategically. You don’t need a full week to make meaningful memories.

3. Let travel be the reward between sports seasons. It gives everyone something to look forward to. We often times will travel to a new destination over Thanksgiving or Christmas break, meeting family members there. 

Your kids won’t remember every practice, but they will remember the places you went together. ✈️
Over here waiting to be appreciated for all the mo Over here waiting to be appreciated for all the money I’m saving us by not traveling as expensive as my taste is 😅

The version of me in my head?
She’s booking the oceanfront suite. The spa day. The upgraded seats. 

The version of me in reality?
She’s comparing 17 hotels, checking 3 different dates, and saying “Look how much money I saved us.”

And somehow… that part goes unnoticed. 😂
There’s something about a beautiful coffee shop th There’s something about a beautiful coffee shop that makes an ordinary day feel like a vacation.

No plane ticket. No packing. Just a slow morning and a really good latte, or chai latte in my case. 

These are my go-to spots when I need beachy, peaceful, vacation energy here in Tampa Bay:

☕️ HavenHouse Eatery & Coffee Bar, Safety Harbor 
☕️ Paradeco Coffee Roasters, St Pete 
☕️ Swell Coffee, Largo 
☕️ Patrona Coastal Cafe, St Pete 
☕️ Grove Surf Cafe + Coffee, Indian Rocks Beach 

Save this for your next coffee date, solo morning, or slow day with your spouse.

Did your favorite not make the list? LMK 👇🏼
💕 Happy Valentine’s Day! Choosing him again toda 💕 Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Choosing him again today,
even after the dishes, the stress, the misunderstandings, and the ordinary moments.

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

God’s love teaches me how to love my husband with grace, to believe the best in him, & keep showing up.

A strong marriage isn’t made in the highlight reel.
It’s made in the daily choosing.

And I’d still choose him. Every time. 🤍
We’ve gone through seasons of non-existent date ni We’ve gone through seasons of non-existent date nights and seasons of weekly date nights…
But the real strength in our marriage?

It’s built on small nights like this. 🔥 

If you’ve been feeling distant, tired, or just in roommate mode — this is your sign to slow down and reconnect.

I put together our exact formula for a cozy date night at home (setup, atmosphere, all of it). Perfect for Valentine’s if you’re wanting a quiet night in! 

Comment COZY and I’ll send it to you 🤍
1. “I still choose you.” Not just as a dad. Not ju 1. “I still choose you.”
Not just as a dad.
Not just as a provider.
But as my guy.

In the chaos of parenting & carpools, men can quietly start to feel like they moved from husband to “supporting cast.”

When you say:
“I love being married to you.”
“I’d choose you all over again.”
“I’m so glad I get to do life with you.”

You’re reminding him he’s not just needed — he’s wanted. 

2. “You’re doing a good job.”
Even strong, steady men question themselves — especially about:
	•Finances
	•Leadership
	•Providing
	•Whether they’re enough

When you say:
“I’m proud of how you lead our family.”
“Thank you for working hard so we can build this life.”
“I see how much you carry.”

You calm something in him he probably doesn’t talk about.

3. “I love us.”
This one feels simple, but it’s deep.

When you prioritize kid-free trips, date nights, and reconnection — you’re saying your marriage is worth protecting.
Verbalizing it matters. 

When you say:
“I love how we prioritize us.”
“Our trips together make me fall in love with you all over again.”
“I don’t want to just raise kids — I want to grow old with you.”

Send a an affirming text or voice note to your hubby today. 🩷
Today’s office: beachside lunch with a friend. Bu Today’s office: beachside lunch with a friend.

Business chats, salty air, and remembering not every workday looks like a desk. 🌊
Marriage isn’t about getting it right. It’s about Marriage isn’t about getting it right.
It’s about staying, showing up, and choosing grace —again and again.
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