In the summer of 2020, when the world felt like it was holding its breath, four friends—Rv, Hannah, Carol, and me (Kima)—packed our masks, snacks, and sanitizer, and took a spontaneous trip to the Lavender Fields in Santa Rosa, California.
The world was quiet then. Streets had emptied, laughter was muffled behind layers of fabric, and hugs had become rare, replaced by distant waves and cautious, apologetic glances. We had been cooped up in our homes for months—our lives reduced to virtual check-ins, Zoom calls, and a loop of news headlines that felt more surreal by the day.
We were desperate. Desperate for fresh air, for a glimpse of something alive and beautiful, for a break from the heaviness we had all been quietly carrying. We needed to feel something different, something real. So, without overthinking it, we planned a day trip, grabbed our masks, threw essentials into our bags, and hit the road with music blasting and windows rolled down, chasing the hope of lavender-colored peace.
🪻LAVENDER FIELDS🪻
The moment we arrived at the fields, time seemed to slow. The air was filled with the soothing scent of lavender, drifting gently on the breeze like a balm for the soul. Endless rows of purple stretched before us, swaying softly in the wind—calm, unbothered, and untouched by the chaos we had left behind. It felt like we had stepped into another world, one where the noise quieted and nature held us gently.
We kept our distance from other visitors, masks still snug on our faces, following the unspoken rules of the time. But within our little circle, something shifted. We wandered the rows, laughing under our breath, snapping photos, running our fingers just above the blooms. We were careful and mindful, but more than anything, we were present. Present in a way we hadn’t been in months. Cameras clicked, boots sank slightly into the earth, and the silence between us felt comforting instead of heavy.
I remember it clearly—it was an incredibly hot summer day, the kind where the sun clung to your skin and the air shimmered with heat. While we relished the calming scent of lavender that lingered in the breeze, we were also battling the intensity of a relentless heat wave. Sweat clung to our foreheads, and the sun seemed determined to melt us, but we laughed through it all, grateful just to be outside.
Before heading to the fields, we made a pit stop at one of our favorite local spots—Super Star—for a quick and satisfying lunch. It had become our go-to for delicious, budget-friendly Filipino meals, and that day was no different. We grabbed our takeout and ate together at the picnic table, as we shared stories and let the excitement for the day build.
Once we reached the fields, we took turns capturing the moment—snapping selfies, group photos, and candid shots of each other among the rows of blooming lavender. Every corner was a backdrop, every laugh was a memory. We wandered with our phones and cameras in hand, documenting the joy we felt just being together, surrounded by nature and wrapped in the scent of summer.
✨️GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE🌁
Bonus memory: Before we headed home, we made a spontaneous stop at Battery Spencer, a scenic overlook with one of the most breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the bay, and the breeze up there was a refreshing contrast to the heat we had endured earlier in the day.
We couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a few final snapshots to cap off the trip. With the iconic red bridge stretching behind us and the wind tugging at our clothes, we set up our phones and took turns capturing that perfect moment—arms in the air, feet off the ground, mid-jump with joy written all over our faces. It was silly, spontaneous, and absolutely necessary.
That stop wasn’t part of the plan, but it felt like the perfect ending—a chance to let loose, laugh a little louder, and soak in one last moment of freedom and friendship before heading back to reality.
✨️FINAL THOUGHTS✨️
That trip became a quiet chapter in our lives—a memory of healing, stillness, and unfiltered joy behind masks. It reminded us that even in the darkest, most uncertain times, there are sacred moments of light—if we're willing to seek them, and if we're lucky enough to find them with each other.
And none of us ever forgot the day the lavender saved us.
Looking back, that day trip with my friends during the pandemic was more than just a break from routine—it was a reminder of how meaningful even the simplest moments can be. In uncertainty, we found joy, laughter, and a sense of connection that made it one of the most memorable experiences of that time.
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