Returning to Maine this time felt different—more emotional than I expected. When I saw my father’s image on a memorial, I felt grateful. My childhood was secure, protected by the unwavering love and care of my mother. Growing up, I never had to worry about the darker side of the world, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen just how many people prioritize personal gain at the expense of others. It’s been a harsh reality to confront.
Choosing kindness, I’ve realized, is far more difficult than choosing selfishness. It’s easy to be callous, to cheat, and lie, but it’s a lot harder to do the right things when the world has done you wrong. Life, to me, is about being moral, about caring for others. My mother embodied this belief. She went out of her way to be good to people, even when the easier path was to be indifferent or worse.
This trip to Maine reminded me of that goodness, the kind that still exists in people and communities. Meg and I ventured up the coast to explore the possibility of having our wedding here, in a place that held a special place in my father’s heart. It also brought back memories of my grandmother, who was such a guiding light in my life. She never judged anyone and was always a beacon of kindness. After spending time here, I can see where she got her gentle nature. Every person we passed waved at us—a gesture that, coming from New York, felt almost foreign at first. But it was too powerful to ignore. People here genuinely care, and there’s a sense of community that’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced elsewhere.
Even after being robbed a few times this past year and having my phone pickpocketed last week, I’ve found it easy to lose faith in humanity. But I’m ready to leave those experiences behind and find a place where I don’t have to constantly be on guard to protect myself and my family. Maine feels like the right place for us to say “I do”—not just for its beauty, but because it reflects the values that Meg and I share. This trip has reinforced that Maine might be the place where we can build something better, together.
