Hello Darcy @dcardinal1985, what an incredibly interesting question! One that might be challenging to squeeze in as a reply to this comment but I'll try my best.
It all started as a crazy desire that seemed impossible when I was a child and then one thing led to another and I found myself working in sales in the Middle East which involved lots of international travels.

Being in the gulf geographically made it easy to access many countries around the world and the frequent travel also earned lots of air miles, free tickets, and airline upgrades. Working in the gulf a decade ago promised strong buying power since it was tax-free. My husband and I tightened our belts and spent more on experiences which resulted in buying only what was necessary. I am grateful for the work opportunity and perfect timing. Thank you for this question, I hope my answer satisfied your curiosity.