As my year+ of vacation is coming to a close, it's people not places that I want to see. In the past month, I've had the opportunity to reconnect with five women who grew up with me at Florida State. In June I called my dear friend Connie and said it was high time I visited her and the girls in Key West. With Jimmy Buffett's book Margaritaville under my arm, I flew down to the Conch Republic for 10 days of youthful love and laughter.
Connie, her husband Dan and their adorable daughter Taryn let me join the slumber party at their home. They've been in a FEMA trailer since Hurricane Wilma drowned the Keys last October and just returned to their house with major construction still underway. Rachel showed us the repair work at her house and the counter tops she perched on while watching the water rise in her home during the storm. Amber had not only the extensive damage at her home to contend with but as an elementary school principal she is in charge of building a new school in "post-flood" Key West.
When I landed in Key West, the place of so many fantastic college vacations, I learned that another of our FSU friends, Tammy, had moved from Atlanta back to FL. We convinced her to take a ferry from Fort Myers to Key West to join our little reunion. Laughing with the girls of my youth over many tropical drinks taught me a very valuable lesson. When I get back on the fast track, I must not neglect keeping in touch with old friends! Talking about how our dreams had changed and what's ahead is great for the soul!
Since I'd already learned the other important lesson, that travel is the light of my life, I did take the time on this trip to rent a car and drive over the 44 bridges to Key Largo for my first US diving experience. Another great FSU pal, Scott, lent me the use of his corporate apartment in Key Largo for a week of sun and fun. The reefs were beautiful, as always I met fun folks diving, and ate loads of fresh seafood every day! I also swam with the dolphins, which was a huge thrill! Visiting the FL Keys and my old friends was the perfect summer treat!
One friend was missing from our little reunion, my FSU roommate Eve. In a freak bit of luck, Eve was visiting NYC the week I returned from the Keys. She left her boys in camp and her husband at home in Panama City and came up for some big city fun. We had a ball catching up on ... years as we toured around the city! She is as beautiful and witty as ever!
I'm so lucky to have had the time this summer to see who I'd been missing!
