I Heart Florida…

Well after months of hustlin’, grindin’ and sleep deprivation, I have finally carved out some space to rest. And boy does it feel amazing. I’m on day two of ultra self-indulgence mode, and I already feel like a brand new woman.

After leaving Atlanta last Friday, James and I headed down to Thomasville, Georgia to attend his biannual family reunion. While this was a great time, with some AMAZING food (I swear I’m going to gain 20 lbs before this trip through the South is done, lol), it wasn’t exactly what I’d consider downtime. But after we bid goodbye to the fam on Sunday and headed down to Florida, I could feel my excitement growing. Atlanta had been a James/TPC mission. Thomasville had been a James mission. But Florida, well Florida was going to be all about ME. I couldn’t wait.

We arrived in Jacksonville, Florida Sunday night, for our 4-day visit with James’ cousin Imani, who was gracious enough to host us. When she greeted us with homemade Fried Chicken and greens and I just knew this was going to be an awesome time.

Imani has a beautiful, spacious home and James and I had the whole west wing to ourselves. The most stressful decision I had to ponder was whether or not I wanted to lay out by her pool or hop in the car for a 10 minute ride to the beach. As inviting as her pool is, the beach won every time.

I’ve always been biased toward the Pacific Ocean, but I think I may have to reconsider that stance. The beaches in Jacksonville, Florida (and all along the Florida coast really) boast not only white sand, but clear blue water that is the PERFECT temperature for swimming. I absolutely love swimming in the ocean, but don’t really get to do it much in Santa Cruz cause the water is too cold. Well believe me when I say I took full advantage of the warm Atlantic waters, and spent several hours every day frolicking in the surf, reading on the beach, and working on my tan. I was in heaven. Wasn’t thinking about work, or TPC, or my to-do list–for three blissful days the hustle was firmly on pause. I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to exist in an obligation-free space…

Thank you Florida, for all you’ve done to take my mind off the craziness that is life. I will be back.