A Heartfelt Ohio Road Trip with Rubi and a Comforting Cardiology Visit
A cardiology appointment can make even a short trip feel heavy before it begins. That was the mood I carried into our mini road trip to Ohio, at least at first. The plan was practical and serious: get to Cleveland Clinic, attend my consultation, ask the questions, and hopefully leave with more clarity.
But somewhere between packing the car, laughing with my people, and having my soul sister Rubi come along for the ride, the trip became something more. What started as a nerve-provoking medical visit turned into a sweet little memory filled with laughter, swimming, snacks, shopping, and the kind of support that makes hard things feel a little lighter.
The road to Ohio felt lighter with Rubi beside me
There is something special about traveling with someone who knows how to make you laugh when you need it most. Rubi came along for the ride, and honestly, her presence changed the whole feeling of the trip.
We laughed on the way there. We laughed during the trip. We laughed on the way home. It was the kind of laughter that sneaks up on you and makes you forget, even if only for a little while, that you are headed to an appointment you have been anxious about.
That is why I call her my soul sister. Some people just know how to show up. They do not have to say the perfect thing or fix anything. They just have to be there, making the car feel warmer, the miles feel shorter, and the serious parts feel less lonely.
The drive to Ohio could have been quiet and tense. Instead, it became part of the memory. Music, jokes, random conversations, and those little road trip moments all helped soften the nerves I had carried with me.
Our hotel stay gave the trip a mini vacation feeling
Once we arrived, we stayed in a really nice hotel, which made the trip feel less like a medical errand and more like a tiny getaway. There is something comforting about walking into a clean, cozy room after a long drive. You set your bags down, take a breath, and let your body realize it can relax for a minute.
One of the best parts was going swimming. It was simple, but it gave the trip a lighthearted feeling. For a little while, I was not thinking about appointments or questions or what the cardiologist might say. I was just present.
That mattered.
When you are dealing with health concerns, it can feel like everything revolves around your body, your symptoms, and your next set of answers. Getting in the pool, laughing, and enjoying the hotel reminded me that I am still allowed to have fun in the middle of stressful seasons.
Five Guys was good, but not life changing
This trip also came with a very important first: I finally tried Five Guys.
I went with the veggie burger, and I have to say, the veggie burger was delicious. That was definitely the highlight for me. It had good flavor, and I enjoyed it while I was eating it.
But overall? I do not think Five Guys was anything too special. I know people love it, and I can understand the appeal, but for me, the excitement ended with the veggie burger. I am glad I tried it, and now I can say I did, but I would not call it a new favorite.
Sometimes that is part of the fun of a road trip, though. You try the place everyone talks about, form your own opinion, and keep it moving. It becomes one more funny little detail in the story.
Shopping, pumpkin spice popcorn, and fall happiness
Of course, we had to do a little shopping while we were there. That is where I found one of my favorite small surprises of the trip: pumpkin spice LesserEvil popcorn.
Fall is my favorite season, and I love everything pumpkin. Candles, coffee, snacks, decor, all of it. If it smells or tastes like fall, I am probably interested.
So finding pumpkin spice popcorn felt like a tiny seasonal win. It was exactly the kind of treat that makes me happy. Sweet, cozy, and very fall. I loved it.
Those little moments might not sound like much, but they helped balance the trip. One part of the day held appointments and medical questions. Another part held snacks, shopping bags, and that happy little feeling of finding something perfectly seasonal.
My cardiology appointment was nerve-provoking but comforting
The main reason for the trip was my cardiology consultation at Cleveland Clinic. I would be lying if I said I was not nervous. Appointments like that can bring up so many feelings before you ever step into the room.
I had concerns. I had questions. I wanted to feel heard.
The appointment ended up being both nerve-provoking and enlightening. I also got to catch up with one of my favorite providers, which helped make the experience feel more familiar and less intimidating.
Even better, I really appreciated my new cardiologist. She was kind, but more than that, she listened. She explained things clearly, made sure I understood what we were talking about, and did not brush off my concerns. That alone meant so much.
There is a different kind of comfort that comes from sitting with a provider who makes you feel like your voice matters. She made sure I knew she heard me, and she also made it clear that she plans to address what I brought up.
That gave me peace.
This is not medical advice, just my personal experience. But I do believe feeling comfortable with your care team matters. When a provider explains things well and treats your concerns with care, the whole appointment can feel less overwhelming.
The support made all the difference
Looking back, I think the biggest gift of the trip was how much lighter it felt because I did not have to do it alone.
Rubi being there changed the emotional weight of the appointment. My friends helped turn an anxious situation into a memory with joy woven through it. The hotel, the pool, the food, the snacks, the shopping, the laughter, all of it mattered.
It reminded me that even stressful trips can hold good moments. A medical appointment does not have to define the whole experience. Sometimes, with the right people beside you, the hard parts become surrounded by enough love and laughter to make them easier to carry.
I went to Ohio for answers, and I did get some clarity. I also came home with memories that made my heart feel full in a completely different way.
This trip was not just about cardiology. It was about friendship, comfort, fall treats, and finding joy in the middle of something that could have felt scary. And for that, I am grateful.
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