As Milan is about to turn 20 years old on Monday, I was reminded this morning about how over 30 of you (many whom do not post anymore) chipped in to help him when his high school chose him for the France trip. Only 12 students could go and parents had to chip in $600, which I didn't have at the time.

I didn't want my lack of funds to rob him of this opportunity to travel abroad with his class so I set up a GoFundMe and asked for help. Some criticized me for it, which is fine, but if that was all I had to endure to make sure that my son got to have this opportunity, I was good with that.

And y'all REALLY showed up. The final tally was $1000 which was enough for his flight, ground transfers, a new suitcase, and food/shopping money. It still touches my heart to this day and is part of what endears me to Okayplayer.

Milan went again to France 2 years later (and is damn near fluent in French) and is currently planning his first ever solo trip abroad to Italy (that he will pay for himself with money that he has saved up from working full-time). That first trip inspired him to travel and learn about other cultures and languages from a first-hand perspective. I didn't have that growing up and always wanted that for my children.

Thanks for the assist, OKP.

Veronica