Reader,

Today, I’m pausing to remember September 11, 2001; the lives lost, the families forever changed, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the countless people whose lives were affected in ways the rest of us may never fully understand.

Like so many people, I remember exactly where I was when it happened.

I had just completed training as a reservation agent for a travel reservation wholesaler. I was excited about beginning a new career and had recently earned my certification as a Travel & Destination Specialist. Then we watched the attack on the United States unfold.

It felt unreal.

In the days that followed, people understandably began canceling their vacations left and right. Fear and uncertainty brought travel to a near standstill. Less than a week later, I was out of a job, and our entire office had closed.

I couldn’t help wondering: What would become of the travel industry? What was the future of the certification I had just earned? Had I chosen the wrong career at the worst possible time?

I could have interpreted what happened as a warning that travel wasn’t meant for me. I could have let fear convince me the world was simply too dangerous to explore.

But that wasn’t the end of my story.

In December 2001, I accepted a position with another travel reservation wholesaler. Through that company, I got my very first passport and began experiencing the world beyond everything I had known.

I traveled to Costa Rica, Cancún, Punta Cana, Jamaica, St. Martin, and other Caribbean destinations. I experienced different cultures, met new people, and began creating memories of a lifetime.

Somewhere along the way, I fell deeply in love with travel.

This year marks 25 years since I began my travel journey.

Over those years, I’ve learned that courage doesn’t mean pretending danger, uncertainty, or fear don’t exist. It means refusing to let fear make every decision for you.

September 11 forever changed our country and the way we travel. It changed security, our sense of safety, and how many of us viewed the world. For me, it also marked the beginning I never could have anticipated.

I chose to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. I chose to make lemonade out of lemons. I chose preparation over panic, wisdom over avoidance, and possibility over fear.

That choice eventually carried me across countries and continents, introduced me to people I never would have met, and helped shape the woman and travel professional I am today.

During my travels, I’ve met people who genuinely cannot understand why more Americans don’t explore the world. To them, a U.S. passport represents extraordinary access and opportunity. Although visas and entry requirements vary by destination, our passports let us visit many countries with comparatively few barriers, an opportunity many people around the world, such as my husband's family, would value deeply.

Yet too many of us allow fear, uncertainty, or the belief that international travel isn’t “for people like us” to prevent us from getting a passport.

Fear may tell you to stay exactly where you are.

Faith, wisdom, and preparation can help you take the next step.

You don’t have to travel alone or figure out every detail yourself. Sometimes, all you have to do is say yes.

✈️ Travel Tip of the Week

Airport security changed forever after 9/11. Today, TSA PreCheck can make the screening process more efficient and less stressful while maintaining important security measures. Before applying, here’s what you need to know:

1. Confirm your eligibility. TSA PreCheck is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents. Certain criminal offenses or security concerns may disqualify an applicant.
2. Apply through an authorized provider. Begin at the official TSA PreCheck website. Avoid unofficial websites that may charge unnecessary fees.
3. Provide accurate information. Your application must match your identification documents, including your full legal name, date of birth, and citizenship or immigration status.
4. Complete in-person enrollment. Visit an enrollment center with the required identification and citizenship documents. During your appointment, you’ll be fingerprinted, photographed, and required to pay the enrollment fee.
5. Wait for approval. TSA will conduct a background check. If approved, you’ll receive a Known Traveler Number, commonly called a KTN.
6. Add your KTN to every reservation. Enter it in your airline profile or reservation before check-in. Your name, birth date, and gender must match your TSA PreCheck enrollment information.
7. Check your boarding pass. You may only use the TSA PreCheck lane when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on your boarding pass. Expedited screening isn't guaranteed on every flight.

Membership lasts five years and currently costs $85 or less, depending on the authorized enrollment provider. Approved travelers can typically keep their shoes, belts, and light jackets on while leaving laptops and travel-size liquids inside their carry-ons.

Bonus tip: Some travel cards offer a statement credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees. Check your card’s current benefits and terms before applying. My American Express Platinum Card offers this benefit, so I can receive it without paying the full cost out of pocket.

If you already have Global Entry, you generally do not need to apply separately because Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck eligibility.

Preparation builds confidence—and sometimes it also gives you a shorter airport security line.

🔗 Helpful Travel Links

A few other ways I can help this week:

Prepare to Travel

🌍 Applying for your first passport? Follow my step-by-step guide; see exactly what you need to get started.

🇬🇭 Ready to experience the magic of Ghana? Join me for The Essence of Ghana Tour 2027; explore the experience and secure your spot.

🧳 Planning your own trip? I offer 1:1 itinerary planning; see how it works and book a session.

Strengthen Your Travel Finances

💰 Saving for your next adventure? Create a dedicated travel fund with SoFi; open an account and start preparing today.

💳 Want to elevate your travel experience? Explore the benefits of the American Express Platinum Card; learn more through my referral link.

📘 Building your credit for travel? My credit guide ($8) walks through exactly what I used to qualify for cards that fund trips like this — grab it here.

Join the Community

💬 Come hang out in the Xotic Xcursions Facebook Community​

☕ Enjoyed this newsletter? If it gave you something useful, you can buy me a coffee; every bit helps me keep writing these.

Stress less. Travel more. Create memories of a lifetime. ✈️

Disclosure: Some links are affiliate or referral links. If you apply, open an account, or make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive compensation or rewards at no additional cost to you. Please review the terms, fees, and eligibility requirements before applying.