For as long as she could remember, Deb had dreamed of one thing: taking a breathtaking trip to Greece. She envisioned herself strolling through the ancient ruins of Athens, watching the sun set over the whitewashed cliffs of Santorini, its golden rays bathing the landscape in a soft glow. This trip was her ultimate escape, the reward she had been working toward for years, a long-awaited break from the relentless routine of daily life.

But every time Deb brought up the trip, her husband, Dan, found a reason to delay. “Next year, Deb. I promise we’ll go,” he’d say, year after year. “We just need to finish the house projects, pay off the debts, and save a bit more.”

In the beginning, Deb believed him. She had been sharing her dream of visiting Greece since the early days of their marriage, and Dan always agreed it was something they would do together. So, she began saving, carefully setting aside every extra dollar, holding onto the hope that soon they’d both be standing on Grecian soil.

But as the years passed, “next year” became a recurring excuse. Each year brought a new obstacle—work was too demanding, the dishwasher broke, or they didn’t have quite enough in the bank. Deb reassured herself that it was just a matter of time—they’d get there eventually.

By the time she reached her 60s, Deb had saved enough to fund a luxurious two-week vacation, complete with business-class flights and five-star accommodations. She brought it up again, excited to finally turn her dream into reality. But this time, Dan dismissed her outright.

“Greece? At your age?” he chuckled, barely glancing up from his phone. “What are you going to do there? Walk around in that old swimsuit of yours? You’re not twenty anymore.”

His words were like a punch to the gut. After all those years of waiting, hoping, and believing they were in this together, it hit her—Dan had never cared about her dream. To him, it was just a silly fantasy, not worth their time or money.

In that moment, something shifted inside Deb.

The very next day, while Dan was out, she made a decision. She booked the trip—two weeks in Greece, just for her. No more waiting, no more asking for permission. She packed her bags, left a brief note for Dan—”Enjoy your fishing trip. You’ll have to cover it yourself”—and left.

When Deb stepped off the plane in Athens, it was as if a weight had lifted from her shoulders. She felt a freedom she hadn’t known in years. As she wandered through the ruins and stood on the cliffs of Santorini, she realized she had been waiting far too long to start truly living. And she wore that swimsuit, with pride. She didn’t care what anyone thought—this was her moment, her life.

One evening in Santorini, while enjoying dinner alone, she met Michael. They struck up a conversation, sharing laughter and stories. Deb hadn’t realized just how much she had missed feeling truly seen. To Michael, she wasn’t someone “too old” for adventure—she was a vibrant, fearless woman ready to embrace life. For the rest of her trip, they explored the islands together, creating memories she would treasure forever.

When Deb returned home, she found Dan had moved out. He left a note saying he’d gone to live with his brother. But instead of feeling abandoned, Deb felt a profound sense of relief. She no longer had to wait on someone who didn’t value her dreams or happiness.

Months later, Deb is still in touch with Michael, and she’s excited about where life might take her next. For the first time in years, she’s no longer waiting for someone else to make her dreams come true—she’s living them.

What would you have done?