Never take anything for granted!

9 months ago I kissed a girl. Three days later, I had to leave her for 4 months.

As a reminder, she gave me a hair tie. I wore it on my wrist always, and took pictures with it at all the amazing places I’ve travelled. And so The Hair Tie Story was born — a story which might inspire you.

It wasn’t easy getting used to wearing a hair tie on my wrist.

Ouch!

My first stop was Italy.

I went to the most romantic place on earth, alone: Venice.

But the hair tie got worn pretty quickly.

Luckily after arriving home I got three more hair ties with letter from my babe.

I put one of the new hair ties on my wrist and went to the capital of Czech Republic, Prague.

(Old Town Square — Prague)

And so began my amazing summer, full of adventures.

I flew to San Francisco, CA.

My first time in US! I felt like in GTA.

I had breakfast at Google’s HQ, almost dropped my ice cream, when I met M.Z. in Facebook and end up at dinner in Apple.

(Mountain View, Palo Alto)

I‘ve scratched off a piece of that huge red bench and hung out around my dream university.

(Golden Gate Bridge & Stanford)

I enjoyed the view of San Francisco.

(Corona Heights Park)

And then I flew to Hawaii for the next three months…

To soak in some ALOHA vibes.

I saw turtles at Black Sand Beach (watch carefully).

Swam at Green Sand Beach.

I jumped from the southernmost point of Hawaii.

I Walked on hardened lava.

I rode more than 2500 miles.

I learned the history of Hawaiian islands.

I watched all those stunning sunsets.

And I explored Hawaiian nature (which is amazingly beautiful!).

I prayed for my relationship.

I visited National Volcanoes’ Park.

And I watched the lava flowing.

My view before every trip at 6am.

And this is what I’ve watched during all those trips.

I hiked to Pololu Valley.

And many other valleys.

I exposed myself to various dangers.

I walked the jungle alone and discovered new places.

I fell in love with the ocean’s scent.

I tried to surf first time in my life.

(Waipio Valley — this is also the place where I sank the GoPro camera — R.I.P)

It was the journey of my life.

I watched the beautiful panorama at Oahu ❤.

(Shitty iPhone quality)

I checked important monuments of people from the past.

I visited Pearl Harbor.

I hoped to the top of the world’s highest volcano, Mauna Loa.

I spent a night alone in a small cabin.

I left a message in a visitor’s book.

I watched a gorgeous sunset in the mills, making those 16 miles by foot absolutely worth it.

Finally I reached the peak — 13,679 ft above sea level.

During the whole way back down it rained hard. Fog was everywhere and I was led by these piles of rocks.

(Seems like my waterproof camera wasn’t that much water proof at all. Thanks Canon)

The sunset from Mauna Kea (the volcanic sister of Mauna Loa) was another lifetime experience.

Have you ever tried Mai Tais? You should.

Kauai is definately the most beautiful island.

(Don’t let the looks deceive you. That beach below took more than 80 lifes already.)

I still can’t get enough of these valleys.

Biggest waterfall I’ve ever seen — 300 ft high.

And most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen.

Some more breathtaking experiences from my hike in Waimea Canyone.

After which I relaxed by cycling around the Kauais‘ Coast.

Got obsessed by all those rocks.

Dived at the best spots.

( Some fish looked like from Finding Nemo, I swear!)

I went thru a lot of security checks at the airport.

But it was all worth it, because I had whole Honolulu in the palm of my hand.

Great view from Diamond Head.

After hiking Koko Head I thought I’m gonna die of leg pain.

And enjoyed great panorama from the top.

And also another side.

Waikiki beach and Honolulu were really busy. I didn’t feel like I was in Hawaii anymore, but those sunsets were still amazing.

(This could be us)

Coming back after 4 months.

I kissed a girl four months ago and after that time I got to kiss her again.

I gave her those hair ties back. I hadn’t seen her for 16 weeks, 113 days, 2712 hours. I came home and we were together. But shortly after I had to start at the university in neighboring country and had to leave... again. I knew, like every love story ever written, even this one will end and it ended after nine months of our relationship. I visited her every month, but even that wasn’t enough for her to not get interested in different man.

This is not a cry of desperate boy, broken from childish love, into the dark. This is a mere reminder to all of you, who have you significant other beside you every day and sometimes forget what they mean to us. Cherish what you have, because you might not have it tomorrow.

I am not writing this with feelings of fear, hate, or heartbroken love. But with one message to give you: If you are happy in relationship, don’t forget to be thankful that you are in one because it might be more than some people have. Never take anyone for granted.

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Written & captured by Marek Dlugoš | Translated by Martin Mikuška | Corrected by Lukáš Bandura