Typically, whenever I am at Chicago Union Station waiting for my train, I always find myself in an interesting conversation with an equally interesting stranger.

Sunday night was no exception. This time, I found myself in a conversation with an older man and his wife. Our conversation sparked with the exchange of Super Bowl scores and eventually turned into a discussion about travel.

The couple had been travelling all day, starting from Des Moines, Iowa. Their next destination was New York, where they plan to fly to Israel with a group of strangers with the same desire to travel.

The man told me that this would be the 76th country he and his wife have visited together since they retired.

When I had first saw the couple, I already labeled them #relationshipgoals after watching the man read to his wife.

After hearing about the amount of countries they were crossing off their bucket list together, they became #lifegoals.

Although I never got either of their names, I did get a new perspective on the inevitable years of my life that I have always associated with aching bones and crippling nostalgia.

We are always told to take advantage of our youth. We are always told this is our only real chance to fully embrace the meaning of YOLO.

This brief conversation I had with the couple made me realize otherwise.

No matter how old we get, every moment, every day and every year are still precious. Although our appearances may dull, that does not mean our lives have to as well.

Instead of looking at another year added to our age as one step closer to the end, we should look at it as another opportunity to do something we never had the time to do before.

Everyone has a different approach to this opportunity. While the couple I met in the train station decided to take their retirement and free time to visit 76 countries around the globe, others may decide to read 76 books or try 76 types of sushi.

Whatever it is that has peaked your interest and continues to tickle the back of your mind with possibilities, make it a priority. Make it your present. Make it yours.

It is never too late to make a bucket list.

Carpe diem, my friends.

Carole Hodorowicz is a junior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].