My mom only wanted one thing from our trip: a kimono shoot with the girls. *Carrie voice* So there we were, stuffed into layers upon layers of fabric under Tokyo’s blistering noon-time heat.
Needless to say, we ATEEEEE 🤏🏼🤏🏼🤏🏼
Other tourists stopped to take pictures of us. Some even asked for photos with us, which was very weird (I’m looking at you, insistent Italian guy!!).
I kept thinking the whole time that we looked like a SATC reboot 😂 Moral of the story is to listen to your mom cause she has the best ideas ✨
All the insane food I ate in Japan in no particular order pt. 1!! Swipe for commentary and a video of me bruleeing a creme!
The Osaka food crawl to ALL end food crawls.
After our first full day in Osaka, my dad wanted to eat at Daimaru’s food court because it was convenient and the food looked good. My available siblings and I had other ideas (aka a second dinner sampling random local cuisine on the streets of Dotonbori).
No recommendations. No premeditations. Just wherever looks and smells right.
AND BABY IT WAS ALL HITS!!
The fabled 17-person family vacation marked successful! We laughed, we (mostly Ben and Lily) cried, we ate A LOT, we walked, we walked, and walked, then walked some more.
I think we had a good time!
Arigathanks gozaimuch, Japan 🇯🇵
Before the day officially ends, I want to greet my mom @soniayu_vallos810 a very very happy birthday. To the original it-girl, the most vibrant person in every room, and the person who has a nugget of wisdom for every situation, I owe everything that I am to you.
You have been the most dedicated mother, friend, and mamita *ehem lola* that I’ve had the privilege of witnessing. Thank you for sharing your light and love with the rest of us. I hope to be even half as amazing as you when I hit [REDACTED] years old. I love you so mucho mommy!! 😘🫶✨
Nothing brings me more joy than a rom-com—one of my favorite tropes being friends-to-lovers. To everyone who knows Iya and DJ, you also probably know that their love story is a real life rom-com. Iya stars as the whip-smart, gorgeous, hopeless romantic, while DJ plays the silent, Darcy-esque lead.
They meet as college friends and something starts to simmer under the surface. Years go by (and so do missed chances), but as the rom-com gods—or in this case the actual Lord would have it—it was just the buildup to the climax of finally confessing their feelings to one another.
Those who have been fortunate enough to witness their love unfold firsthand (myself included) are will say this: WE KNEW ALL ALONG GUYS!!!
Like in many great love stories, it was only the two main characters that didn’t know they were in one. But unlike many epic tales of romance, this isn’t happily ever after. This is just the start of the rest of their lives filled with love, laughter, and the warmth of having one another.
DJ, I am so proud to witness your growth. You have come out of your shell and into your own. Thank you for tolerating my cajoling and bullying whenever I made you sing or do something cutesy. For the record, all of that went straight to Iya HAHAHA
Iya, you are one of the greatest gifts in my life. Every day I spend being your friend is a blessing. You are my confidant, advisor, and the little (BIG) voice in my head who tells me I can do anything I put my mind to. Our shared love of romance and musicals were only a prelude to a friendship that will withstand distance, silence, and certainly the test of time.
You two are part of some of my most cherished memories, both as individuals and a couple. Thank you for being my dearest friends.
But most importantly, thank you for letting me be a part of your very own love story.
I love you both very deeply.
With all my affection,
Tita 🤍🩵
![Before the day officially ends, I want to greet my mom @soniayu_vallos810 a very very happy birthday. To the original it-girl, the most vibrant person in every room, and the person who has a nugget of wisdom for every situation, I owe everything that I am to you.You have been the most dedicated mother, friend, and mamita *ehem lola* that I’ve had the privilege of witnessing. Thank you for sharing your light and love with the rest of us. I hope to be even half as amazing as you when I hit [REDACTED] years old. I love you so mucho mommy!!](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6722146026507235341731_0_c663135ca146fff544e18546d1542d91.jpg?o=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&h=c97cabad430ca76220a93ad4fb187af3)
