Man, it was hard to leave this morning. We are headed to Tennessee, stopping for a few nights in Georgia and Alabama on the way. We spent five weeks in Florida. Disney was fun. The beaches were nice. But, it was being with family that really made this first stop so memorable. We spent time with my parents, Ray’s parents, my aunt, my sister and bro-in-law, and my brand-spanking-new niece. Wren was the highlight and the main reason it was hard to go today.
Having her sweet, tiny self sleep on my chest was the best thing I experienced in the sunshine state. And now I’m crying – just like I did one day earlier this week, when I thought that maybe we should just abandon the road trip and live in Florida. But, no, we have this plan, and we are going to see it through. But, I do think there might be a flight or two to Florida during the course of our year of traveling.
The thing is I did great the last two days – hung out with Kim and Wren for a couple of afternoons and evenings, went to dinner with them yesterday, and stopped by the house for goodbyes last night before heading out today. I didn’t shed a tear. I was downright chipper. I figured I’d gotten the water works all out, but here I am again… Heading down the road, typing this, and having Ray ask me “Why are you crying?,” as he looks to me for some cash for the toll booth. My response: “It’ll go away in a minute.” And it will. I have always hated that about myself: I can’t hide my feelings no matter how hard I try. I just can not do it. They gush. Right. On. Out. But, then I’ll be good. It’s healthy.
The last five weeks was a great time, and I don’t know that we will stay anywhere else quite that long (maybe California, if I’m being honest). So, on to mountains and cooler days…
So long, Florida. For now.
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