"I never thought it was okay": Sister Wives star Meri opens up about her first solo travel experience

Sister Wives Season 20 Episode 5 aired on October 26, 2025. The latest episode of the TLC show featured Meri visiting New York with her best friend, Jenn.

The two explored various places and enjoyed their trip. One of the conversations featured in the recently released episode was about their friendship. Meri and Jenn recalled the time when they first became friends.

Jen talked about how Mari had not been to any places by herself. Recalling the time, Sister Wives star Meri reflected on her past. After Jenn encouraged her, she went on her first solo trip. But she returned after one night.

"It was the very first time that I had traveled anywhere by myself. I never thought it was okay. I don't know if it's religious culture or family culture, honestly. I only stayed one night," shared Meri.

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Sister Wives Season 20 Episode 5: Meri visits New York and recalls her past

The latest Sister Wives Season 20 Episode 5 featured Meri visiting New York City with her best friend, Jenn. She confessed that the two were having a blast. But Meri didn't like that she couldn't go ice-skating because of the weather.

"It's really just unfortunate that there's so much rain and snow. Because I really really really wanted to go ice skating," shared Meri.

The two went to a place in New York City and had a chat about Meri's past.

"We have stumbled across the cutest little...I don't even know what this is. This cool experience. Like, all the fun things in winter wonderland-ville. We came across a very good alternative for ice skating. I mean, it's really just this a big ball pit with white balls," shared Meri and Jenn with the cameras.

The two went into the pool of white balls, danced, and enjoyed their time in New York. In their joint confessional, Jenn recalled how her and Meri's friendship developed over the years.

She recalled her first meeting with Meri when she learned that Meri didn't travel anywhere by herself. After learning that, Jenn told Meri to go and explore places.

"Just go do something for you. Just for you. Just go do something," said Jenn.

Sharing more about that, Sister Wives star Meri noted that they both lived in Las Vegas at the time. Despite Meri not liking to travel by herself, Jenn encouraged her to do so. She told Meri to explore places for herself.

Meri recalled her first solo trip, ever. She didn't know that it was okay to travel on her own. She was unsure why she felt that way. She noted that it could be a religious culture or maybe the family culture behind her such a mindset.

Jenn added that she wanted Meri to stay 3-4 nights. However, Meri felt that she couldn't do it. So, she stayed over for a night and then returned home.

"Like, it was very uncomfortable," added Meri.

On the other hand, Kody Brown noted to the cameras that there were many trips. He added that they didn't know where Meri went during those trips. Reacting to Kody's comments, Meri noted that he didn't know anything about that. Because he wasn't around her at that time.

Sister Wives star Christine opened up about going on trips with her kids, without Kody.

"I'm just like, we're gonna do our own thing. And I loved it," added Christine.

Janelle confessed to the cameras that Kody never wanted to go anywhere. Further in their joint confession, Meri noted that her best friend Jenn was the only support system she had.

"I wanted you to empower. Like, you get to be you. And f*ck it if anybody who doesn't like it," confessed Jenn.

The two explored more places in New York City, and later, Meri also opened up about her dating experience in the city.

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To know more about Meri, fans can follow her story by streaming Sister Wives Season 20 Episode 5 on TLC.