Nate and I just got back from visiting his relatives in Tampa and Cape Coral, Florida. We had a blast, for most of the trip. It was good just to be together and on our own for the very first time. When we got to Tampa, we walked on the beach, ate a lot of great food (especially at Bennigan’s) and walked around. I saw the public library and went to a museum featuring the art of some man who took pictures of poverty in everyday life. One of the reasons art is so amazing is that it can capture you in a split second. A businessman who could care less about poverty in his own community might feel sorry for the little girl in the picture with wide eyes crying out for food. I liked the museum and its panoramic views of downtown Tampa. Nate liked it too, which was pretty surprising. The whole experience was very peaceful.

For Myers/Cape Coral was so different from Tampa, it was almost unbelievable. The people, the culture, everything was unique. His family there really made me feel at home and I could tell Nate loved being around them. I don’t know what it feels like to have family so far away. Cleveland is a hop, skip, and jump away from me compared to Ft. Myers from Oil City. I could tell Nate missed them. It was here that I dived for a pearl, saw a manatee in the wild , saw the rocket zoom into space, saw dolphins dive, and ride in a mustang which was fun, but made Alicia so jealous!

I did get homesick, even with being around all of these incredible people. I longed for my own family vacations because I felt like I almost didn’t know how to be my whole self around all of these strangers all the time. It was more like meeting his family than going on vacation, which I should have prepared myself better for. I did cry, which is something I regret. I didn’t want to ruin Nate’s vacation, but sometimes I just felt so out of place.

On the plane ride to DC yesterday, I met someone who might just change my life. The weird part is, I don’t even know his name! He is an 86 year old war veteran who was visiting his wife in Arlington Cemetary. I got my picture taken with him because he was just so profound, in only the way that older men can be. I don’t think it would be an understatement to say I fell in love with him the moment I saw him. The last thing he ever said to us was, “Just tell her you love her everyday. That’s what counts. God bless.”

And that is what I will take away from my vacation to Florida. Besides the sandy beaches, the millions of people (some of them very wealthy), the awesome people I met while I stayed, and the experiences of a lifetime (like that jetski), I will remember his kind face and the warmth I found in his heart. It almost makes me think that Nate and I will make it through the summer, through the school year, and through everything.