Florida

After my last trip to California in December I realized it had been over a year since I went on a vacation where I actually relaxed. Don't get me wrong, I know plenty of people don't take vacations, and I probably have plenty of time to relax, but for the amount of traveling I do, I shouldn't be feel so exhausted all the time after trips. So when Jenn mentioned celebrating her 30th birthday on the beach I didn't hesitate.

The first morning. The view from our room and Jen sadly working in the corner. Poor thing woke up early because she had to get some things done and didn't want to wake us so she sat in the corner and used the light from outside. Such is the life of a lawyer.

We classed it up and went to the Waffle House for breakfast. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this view from outside.
Then we headed to Key Largo. My first trip to the Keys! We sort of got a late start to the day but still enjoyed a little catnap in the sun and then took a drive to a gorgeous resort and sat on the beach while the sun set and enjoyed some divine key lime pie and a pina colada. It was a seriously perfect moment. My mouth is watering just remembering.

After we got back to our hotel we cleaned up and went out to din. Jenn's cousin Lance came from DC. He's a peach.

Sunday we went to church and then hung out at the hotel for most of the afternoon because the weather was terrible. Let me also mention that when we walked into the singles branch I happened to notice a guy in the branch presidency who looked like a kid I used to babysit from home. Then the president was speaking and mentioned his name and I did a double take. Oh yes, that actually IS that kid I used to babysit. He lives here now, with his wife, and is in his second year of med school. I can't possibly be that old...(I'm actually only a few years older than him.)

That night we drove to South Beach to check it out and thankfully the weather had cleared up. We walked around the beach for a bit and I had an awkward moment when Jenn's boyfriend and I needed to use a bathroom and convinced some people to let us into a bathroom that was supposed to be closed (and was also a men's room. We were on a beach, it was slim pickins.) We went in and when I walked out of my stall I practically walked into five men all using the urinals in front of me. YOWZA. I booked it out of there.

Monday we headed to the beach for a bit but it was so dang windy. I've never been on a beach when it was that windy. I told myself it would feel nice when we actually laid down, but it was terrible. We were literally being pelted by sand. I finally got up and went to the hotel pool and eventually everyone joined me. We had a few more hours of relaxing in the sun and then it was time to head back to to real life. Getting off the plane in white jeans, flip flops, and a winter coat was kind of awkward. Oh, but maybe the best part was getting upgraded to first class on my flight down. I've been given an upgrade before, or have flown first when flying standby and there's space, but I've never gotten upgraded on my own. Last year I made silver status on Delta which is the lowest and I was told I'd probably never get upgraded. Lucky me, my second time flying with my status and I did!

I definitely loved my time so much in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. So much so that I'm having a little college girlfriends reunion in South Beach for my birthday. See you soon Florida!