Unexpected changes. Sickness. Cancellations. Two years ago, all of this led to the daunting realization that I would be alone in Niagara Falls to celebrate my birthday. As my birthday approaches once again, I pause to reflect on this life-changing event. I didn’t want to go by myself. Up until this time, traveling had always been a group adventure. I’d traveled with tour groups and I’d traveled with girlfriends. However, I’d NEVER traveled (apart from holidays to see family and work) by myself. One word changed all of this: NON-REFUNDABLE. Once I discovered that I couldn’t get my money back without a significant penalty, I determined in my heart to…