ichard Chew is more than a financial expert. As Principal Owner of 1st Capital Insurance Group Richard’s primary goal is to help consumers assess what their needs are and quickly and efficiently find the right plan, but he also helps his clients create a lifestyle they want to live down the road. Together, Richard and his wife Anne have experienced life changing moments, but it was a recent excursion to the Southwest that really moved him. On this journey, he shares a magical moment that he witnessed, not only with his amazing wife, but also with his niece Emma.
“Each year my wife Anne and I make trip somewhere special. Every 2-3 years I convince her to tolerate going to The Open (British Open) Major Golf Tournament, especially when it is at St. Andrews in Scotland. So, this is a bit of a “tribute” to my wife.
“In July 2018 we hiked in Santa Fe New Mexico, which is one of our favorite places to travel and we also own a vacation home there. However, this past July, the Grand Canyon happened, which I have visited five times and hiked only once with my wife. But Anne, the real champion here, has hiked the Grand Canyon for the eleventh time. Yes, from Bright Angle Lodge all the way down to Phantom Ranch, which covers 9.2 miles down and tracks a full 2 days back up. There are lots of great stories Anne shared with me about this journey she conquered, as I played golf in Flagstaff and Sedona, but I want to explain how the Grand Canyon became such an important part of our lives and why you should it make it a part of yours.
“Starting nearly 20 years ago, Anne who has been a banking executive for over 30 years, decided she wanted to challenge herself with something that would enhance her personally and strengthen her career. So, she started making trips to hike the Grand Canyon. Her specific words were, “I want to prove to myself that as a woman I could do anything”. These hikes have not only proved that for her, but have morphed into providing a high school graduation gift, as a way to show all of our nieces (and one nephew) that there is nothing they can’t do or accomplish in life. Most recently, Anne took our 18- year old niece Emma on this journey and although there are lots of stories to share, the most powerful, life altering lifestyle nugget from this hike was what these two women experienced; 97-107 degrees of heat, altitude changes, intense sun, sage bushes, cute little animals, beautiful blue skies, and everything else you could imagine. When they “made it out” back to Bright Angle Lodge and as I greeted them, Anne was in tears of joy. My niece Emma was so excited and said “Uncle Richard” we did it. I now know that I can do anything I want in my life.”
“WOW!! Even when I share that now with others I get teared up. The takeaway is that our lifestyle is what we make of it but having a positive impact on someone else’s life is much more of a blessing. Now I know that my niece Emma will have this experience to create a great lifestyle for herself and once again… my wife Anne ‘made it out’.
“I highly recommend that you add the Grand Canyon to your bucket list. Seeing it is a beautiful thing, hiking it is life changing. If you need advice on how to plan this trip, I can help you plan it, both logistically and financially.” [email protected], www.1stcig.com
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