The Couple that Sells Everything to Live a Sailing Life

Meet Ellie and David, a Colorado couple who decided to shake things up. They ditched the mountain life, sold everything they owned, and decided to hop on a cruise ship to explore the world. But this isn’t just a story of adventure; it’s a tale threaded with unexpected twists and heartfelt connections to the sea. You’ll be surprised to find out what made them uproot their comfy lifestyle. It’s not what anyone would expect. 

What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Is it getting in shape, or maybe spending more time with family and friends? Whatever it is, chances are you were not sitting around at whatever party (or cozy evening at home) with a glass of champagne and proclaiming “This year I’m going to go live on a cruise ship for the rest of my life!” But for this couple things were different. Suddenly things seemed so small and grand at the same time and they just looked at each other and knew something drastic had to be done. 

In the heart of Colorado, beneath the breathtaking expanse of azure skies and nestled between the towering peaks, lived Ellie and David – a couple whose story transcended the ordinary. As high school sweethearts, they lived through lots of life together and knew each other better than most. This was one of the perks of their relationship, they were so intuitive of each other and could easily make decisions since they were often on the same page or could understand the other’s concerns on a deep level. 

The decision to abandon the familiar seemed reckless to friends and family. However, Ellie and David were driven by a thirst for the extraordinary, a desire to escape the monotony of everyday life. They thought that there was more to life than the same old routine and that the ocean had a special place in their hearts for more reasons than one. Their first date was aboard a boat when Ellie visited David’s summer home with her family. They fell in love when David took Ellie kayaking that same year and their love story only continued to unfold amongst the ocean tides.  

It took them less than a year to find a family that would buy their beautiful home, even if said family initially thought (understandably one might add) that there was something suspicious about this seemingly lovely couple. Despite having so many memories with their family and history that they remembered fondly they simply couldn’t live there anymore. 

And so it was that on January 1st, Ellie and David had their cargo packed, and their tickets at hand. They were now ready to go aboard the ship that would mark the end of their life on dry land.

The first weeks at sea were a whirlwind of excitement and discovery. Currently, Ellie and David’s life is organized in monthly segments as they move from one ship to another. Their schedule is packed, and they already have plans in place up to December. However, a significant change is on the horizon.

As they immersed themselves in new experiences, Ellie and David felt a profound connection to the vastness of the ocean. The ship became their home, its corridors echoing with laughter, its decks witnessing countless sunsets and sunrises.

It wasn’t just their wanderlust that made the trip so enjoyable, as the conditions onboard the ship itself are, to put it simply- fabulous. Their main challenge on board? Well, it’s a battle against the temptations of overindulgence.

In a delightful twist, the ship extends its stays in ports, ranging from three to five days. For this dynamic duo, there’s even the option to prolong their land adventures.

Down in the far end of South America, Ellie and David found themselves in the wild wonderland of Patagonia. Picture massive mountains, giant glaciers, and lakes so clear you could see your reflection.

So, the next stop was Antarctica – the icy kingdom at the bottom of the world. The cruise ship sailed through freezing waters, showing off colossal icebergs and animals that seemed to thrive in the cold. Penguins did their waddle dance, seals sunbathed on floating ice, and whales put on a show in the freezing sea.

Now, South Africa was a whole different vibe. The ship parked by the famous Table Mountain, giving Ellie and David front-row seats to Cape Town’s craziness. From thumping local tunes to chowing down on some seriously good South African grub, they soaked up the lively culture.

Other passengers were eager to talk to Ellie and David, as the couple’s warm disposition and lovely personalities were easy to get attached to. Their sunny personalities are what other passengers gravitate towards while on the cruise and they never would have guessed what Ellie and David were secretly dealing with behind the scenes. 

As the ship sailed into the New Year, Ellie and David decided to mark the occasion with a symbolic gesture.

To people who were looking from the outside, this gesture might seem a bit strange. Maybe it was their family tradition? Maybe it was their way to say goodbye to the year that’s just ended? It could have been several reasons but the passengers on board despite an inclining to ask, felt too personal and everyone refrained. Instinctively it felt like they were looking in on a hidden gesture that was meant for only the couple’s eyes. The fact that there were others around seemed to fade into the background. 

It happened on New Year’s Eve just one year earlier. David and Ellie were sitting at home, preparing to celebrate the evening with their family- their son, two daughters, and grandchildren. The house was full and the excitement of the new year was underway. Ellie and David could not be happier to have their children around to mark another year around the sun. 

Emily’s husband and their two girls- Maya and Sopihe, were already there, and the girls were hyping everybody up, going around saying that their mommy had a really big announcement to make once she got there.

Ellie and David drove to the hospital with Emily’s husband, leaving their grandchildren, Maya and Sophie, with the rest of the family. When they got there Emily was in surgery, but two hours later, unfortunately, they received terrible news. The surgery did not go as well as the doctors hoped and her injuries were too critical. Emily sustained deep injuries to several main arteries and severe head trauma.

Amidst the pain of loss that left Ellie and David shattered, her daughters Maya and Sophie, were one of the only things that brought them a shred of joy, and they would often ask their father to send the girls over for the weekend. Ellie and David loved spending time with their daughter’s daughters because it made them feel like part of Emily was still with them and they loved swapping stories about their dear Emily making sure she was always remembered. 

When they sat together in Ellie and David’s living room, the couple couldn’t help but ask what was going on. That’s when Emily’s husband smiled at the girls and encouraged them to tell their grandparents the deep-sea secret that they have all been keeping since that fateful New Year’s Eve. The girls were hesitant at first because they knew it was a sensitive subject but they hoped that this would bring some light into what was otherwise a gloomy time for all of them. Readjusting to home and school life without their mother was not an easy thing by any means.

Emily and her husband Dean, finally pooled together their finances and decided to do what Emily dreamed of. They decided to tell her parents and family on New Year’s Eve once she had gotten there, but she never made it. Of course, no one had thought about this plan again after Emily’s tragic death. Her husband quickly abandoned the idea, wanting to keep the girls in their home and as close to how things were with their mother as he could muster. He hoped it would create some stability for them. 

In the wake of this revelation, Ellie and David were left speechless. Although David’s first thought was to thank Emily’s husband, but refuse the offer, he looked at Ellie.

As Ellie and David continued their maritime odyssey, their lives became intertwined with the lives of their daughter’s children—Ellie and David’s granddaughters.

Sophie and Maya, curious and adventurous like their mother, began spending school holidays aboard the cruise ship. The ocean became a playground for the granddaughters, and the ship, a floating classroom where lessons were not confined to textbooks but unfolded amidst coral reefs and ancient ruins.

The sunsets aboard the cruise ship took on a poignant significance for Ellie and David. Each evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of pink and gold across the endless sea, they felt an indescribable connection to their daughter.

The couple discovered that the world was vast, and within its embrace, they found healing. The ship became a floating sanctuary, where memories of Emily intertwined with the ever-changing landscapes outside their cabin window.

As the ship sailed through the years, Ellie and David continued to explore, their hearts filled with a mix of joy, gratitude, and a gentle sadness that lingered like the sea mist.

Their story echoed across the ship, inspiring fellow passengers to embrace life’s unpredictable currents. The cruise ship, once a vessel for two souls seeking solace, had become a floating community of dreamers, adventurers, and resilient hearts.

The eternal cruise continued a testament to the enduring power of love and the boundless possibilities that unfold when one chooses to set sail into the vast unknown. With so many more places to see, explore, and share with their family, Ellie and David are without a doubt a shining example for turning grief into hope, and we all are waiting to see how their journey turns out!