Some rooms you walk out of with a smile.
Some you carry with you forever.

Our trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee was supposed to be a special birthday getaway. A fun, family-filled adventure in the mountains — complete with cozy cabins, fresh air, and the one thing I was most looking forward to…

An escape room.
But not just any escape room. This one was meant to be the room — the one where my dad would finally join me.

You see, he had never done an escape game with me before. Not one.
Even though I’d talked his ear off about them. Even though it was my birthday wish.

He always loved seeing us happy. He organized our trips and made sure everyone had what they needed. And on this trip, I had this tiny hope that maybe, just maybe, he’d say yes to the room.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he chose to spend that day visiting his sister — someone he hadn’t seen in decades.
And while I knew how important that was, I still felt the sting.
I was quietly heartbroken.

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🗝️ The Legend of Atlantis — A Beautiful First… Without Him

That afternoon, Trey (my husband), my mom, sister, and 9-year-old daughter all joined me for “The Legend of Atlantis.”
It was breathtaking — easily one of the most immersive, stunningly designed escape rooms we’ve ever seen.

Trey and I took the lead, laughing and strategizing. My mom and sister were wide-eyed and nervous — totally new to this. And my daughter? She was a mix of cautious and curious, watching everything like a little detective.

We didn’t escape in time, but that didn’t matter. We shared laughter, teamwork, and playful chaos.
It was everything I love about these games.

Except… one person was missing.
The one I had hoped would finally say yes.

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💔 What I Would Give Now

At the time, I was frustrated.
It was my birthday. All I wanted was to share something I loved with the man. He gave me so much of who I am.

But now, looking back…

I understand.

He chose connection. He chose a moment with his sister — a moment they’d waited a lifetime for. And I’m so grateful he had that.

Still, if I had just one more hour, or one more memory. One more chance to pull him into the room and hear him say, “Okay, show me how this works…”. I’d do it in a heartbeat.

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🕊️ A Room Forever Empty, But a Heart Forever Full

That was our last family trip with my dad.
I didn’t know then just how precious that time would become.

So no, we didn’t get that escape room moment together.
But I’ll hold onto everything we did share. I will cherish the road trips and the laughs. I remember the sacrifices he made to bring our family joy.

A full page about him — simply titled “DAD” — is coming soon.
Because his story deserves to be told.

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📜 Historic Fun Fact: Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg was not always the charming mountain town we know today. It was called White Oak Flats. This was a humble Appalachian settlement dating back to the early 1800s. But here’s the twist: the name Gatlinburg comes from a man named Radford Gatlin. He was a somewhat controversial postmaster involved in a town feud. Despite the drama, the town ended up honoring him by taking his name. History sure knows how to keep things interesting!

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🧩 Puzzle Time

Now, here’s a little brain teaser inspired by the heart of every trip, every adventure, and every moment worth remembering:

I’m made of bonds that cannot be seen,
Not always perfect, but strong and keen.
Through ups and downs, I help you stand tall—
What am I that’s the heart of it all?

🎉 Got it? Leave a comment with the code or tag us @TheJoyOfEscapeRooms to earn your Atlantis Adventure Badge!

🧭 The Journey Continues…

Thank you for reading, for being here, and for allowing me to share such a tender piece of my heart.

Our next escape will bring more laughter. It will create more memories. There will be more reasons to hold the ones we love just a little closer.

And who knows — maybe he’s watching now. He might finally understand what all the fuss was about. Perhaps he’s smiling from heaven as we keep trying to beat the clock.