"You're kidding, right? I mean, why would anyone want to leave Florida?" asked the young man who was showing me the townhouse that I ended up buying. It wasn't hard to understand his confusion; we were there on a freezing Saturday, with a high of 3 degrees. Oh, and a very brisk wind blowing straight across the fields-turned-housing.
His reaction has been the same as nearly anyone else who learns that I'm one of the few lunatics who hasn't embraced the palm trees and promise of a snow-free retirement. Not to mention the fine cardiac, cataract, and orthopedic centers waiting to provide care for the 24% of Florida's population who are over 60...by 2030, that number will rise to 34%. Imagine the race to get the Early Bird Specials!
It's not that I didn't try to love the state. I confess that I did have a mild interest in living someplace warm. When a job opportunity came, following an unexpected job upheaval, I thought it would be a way to try a lifestyle in a different climate. A friend gave me important advice . I subscribed to "Southern Living" and searched eBay for fun Florida souvenirs to decorate the downstairs bathroom in my new apartment. I ate boiled peanuts and roadside peaches. I learned to dress down and wore flip-flops to work. I kayaked and floated on the clear spring rivers. I visited lots of coastal cities, all very pretty and interesting. I learned to say "sir" and "ma'am."
But over four years later, I have to honor my true self and return to the Midwest. Besides the fact that I love to wear sweaters, here are some things I need:
- Coming in from the cold and cozy comfort foods
- The smell of warm soil in the spring
- Hot summer days that are relieved by a rain storm
- Crisp fall mornings and gorgeous leaves
- Snow. Yes, snow!
- Holidays in different seasons
- Early daylight in the summer
- Early darkness in the winter
- Winter sunrises and summer sunsets
- Tulips and lilacs and petunias and marigolds
And what else? Family. More than anything, family. I'm tired of solo holidays and getting on planes to see the people I love the most. Tired of missing games, meets, and concerts. Tired of singing "Happy Birthday" over the phone instead of being there. Tired of having them come to me and then cramming a year into a week.
Make no mistake, I can see the value of a winter getaway to a place with beaches and sunshine. Soak up some Vitamin D and eat seafood till I drop. Walk around in shorts while my northern neighbors are shoveling. But then...I get to go back where I can put on my sweater and make beef stew.
Let me know if you're interested in my Florida collection...
It just proved a theory that I already embrace: you can take the girl out of the Midwest, but you can't take the Midwest out of the girl. I lived in Florida for 8 years, but never stopped missing hot chocolate and rosy cheeks, the thrill of spring, and the crunch of autumn leaves beneath my feet. As an only child, I wish I had those 8 years back with my parents. So now, I dream of a 2 or 3 month Florida winter getaway, but living there year round does not appeal to me anymore. Welcome home, girl......
Posted by: Amy Johnsen | 01/24/2016 at 08:47 AM