Have you ever experienced someone doing something kind for you unexpectedly? While you thought you were being invited to one thing, it turned out to be so much more. If you've had this experience, the event, the person who made it happen, and the people involved all made you... you!
My niece invited me to visit her for my twin and my 70th birthday. My twin lives with her and her family on their 5 acres in North Georgia - absolutely beautiful place. She teases that it's her mini-farm as she raises French bulldogs. Oh, and there's other critters wandering about her place: goats, a giant turtle, pet snakes, as well as my twin who helps her feed and care for the menagerie.
We were excited to spend our birthday Saturday with a small, intimate BBQ. But then, to our surprise, older yet familiar faces began arriving... and it suddenly clicked…our clever niece had invited some of our childhood friends to join the celebration. It turned into a joyful and memorable event! Enjoying the BBQ while reminiscing about the mischief of our youth was incredibly fun. We even talked about some events I had forgotten as an adult. Thank goodness God looked out for us, as some of those dangerous stunts could have been deadly. Growing up in a rural area meant creating our own fun, and although many childhood memories faded for a time, they were never truly lost.
Another thing was that it was the first time all my immediate family was together in one place and at the same time, which hadn't happened in many years. A definite warm fuzzy.
When was the last time someone did you a solid wonderful favor? Was it a surprise? Who was it? What was the event? And…who was there?
Whatever it was it made you ….you!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's story about his surprise 70th birthday celebration really hits home for me. As we get older, those unexpected moments of connection become even more precious. I see this all the time with my clients - people often ask me, "How do I make sure I can afford to visit family or host gatherings like this?" The good news is that building those experiences into your retirement planning is absolutely doable with some thoughtful preparation.
For 2026, if you're 70 or older like David and his twin, you're in that sweet spot where Social Security benefits have reached their maximum if you delayed until age 70, and your Required Minimum Distributions from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are helping fund these kinds of meaningful experiences. Most people are surprised when they learn that travel and family visits can actually be planned expenses in retirement, not just wishful thinking.
Think of it this way: the memories you're making today are the stories you'll treasure tomorrow, and a little financial planning can make sure you're able to create plenty of them.