What is your name?
My name is Christine Earls, and I am the owner and founder of You and Me By The Sea Travel.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I am the proud mom of three wonderful children: Christopher, Kevin, and Alanna. I was also blessed to be the mother of my son Timothy, who passed away as an infant. Motherhood has shaped who I am and continues to inspire me every day.
What is your favorite thing about the Sayville-Patchogue area?
I love the sense of community. There is always something happening, whether it’s a local fair, a fundraiser, a farmers market, or a community event. People genuinely support one another, and there is a small-town feel while still having access to so many wonderful restaurants, shops, and activities.
Tell us about your business – name and services offered!
I am the owner of You and Me By The Sea Travel, a boutique travel agency specializing in family vacations, multi-generational travel, honeymoons, destination weddings, cruises, river cruises, and custom European vacations.
My agency’s philosophy is simple: Luxury Travel Designed for Life’s Most Meaningful Moments. Whether it’s a family’s first trip abroad, grandparents traveling with their children and grandchildren, a special anniversary, or a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, I help busy families and couples create memorable travel experiences while taking the stress and guesswork out of planning.
What inspired you to start your business?
After spending more than 20 years in the corporate world, I realized I wanted a career that allowed me to help people create memories instead of just managing spreadsheets and reports. Travel has always been a passion of mine, and I saw an opportunity to combine my organizational skills with my love of helping others. In 2020, I took a leap of faith and started You and Me By The Sea Travel.
What do you love about your business/favorite part of what you do?
My favorite part is hearing the stories when clients return home. Whether it’s a family making memories together at a resort, grandparents taking their grandchildren on a special trip, or a couple celebrating a milestone, I love knowing I played a small role in creating those moments. Travel creates memories that last a lifetime.
How has motherhood influenced your business journey?
Motherhood taught me patience, flexibility, and how to juggle a million things at once. It also helped me understand how valuable time is. As moms, we know that family vacations aren’t just trips; they’re opportunities to reconnect and create memories together. That perspective helps me better serve my clients, especially families who want to make the most of their time together.
What makes your business unique?
I believe my clients appreciate having a dedicated advocate from start to finish. When something goes wrong, they don’t have to call a 1-800 number and explain their situation to a stranger. They have me. I take the time to get to know my clients, understand what matters most to them, and create travel experiences that fit their needs and goals.
What advice would you give to another mom?
Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself. It’s never too late to pursue a dream, start a business, learn a new skill, or change careers. The path may not always be easy, but you don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Give yourself grace. We spend so much time trying to be everything to everyone, but sometimes “good enough” really is enough. Perfection isn’t the goal; being present is.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am incredibly grateful to the clients, friends, family, and local community who have supported my business over the years. As a local mom and small business owner, I understand how valuable family time is and how important it is to make the most of the moments we have together.
I am honored that Long Island couples have voted You and Me By The Sea Travel a Brides of Long Island Diamond Award Winner for Honeymoon Travel Agency in both 2025 and 2026. As meaningful as the award is, my greatest reward is helping families, couples, and multi-generational travelers create memories they will cherish for years to come.
Some of my favorite trips to plan are family vacations and multi-generational getaways because I know firsthand how special those memories become. Years from now, your children may not remember what gifts they received, but they will remember watching the sunset with their family in Aruba, exploring the streets of Italy, or building sandcastles together on a Caribbean beach.
When I’m not helping clients plan their dream vacations, you’ll often find me ballroom dancing. Dancing allows me to relax, recharge, and stay focused while balancing the demands of business ownership and family life. It’s my favorite way to unwind and reminds me of the importance of making time for the things that bring us joy.
At the end of the day, I believe travel is about more than just visiting a destination. It’s about creating meaningful connections, making memories with the people you love, and experiencing the world together. Being able to help families do that is truly the most rewarding part of what I do.
To learn more about Christine and You and Me By The Sea Travel, visit
https://www.youandmebythesea.com/
Facebook – You and Me by The Sea Travel
Instagram – you.and.me.by.the.sea
