Embracing Retirement: An Adventure to Florida

Time Flies

Wowzers! It’s hard to believe that I have been retired from the world of education for eight years—what a crazy and wonderful journey it has been! Throughout these eight years, I have embraced the phase of life known as retirement. But what does retirement really mean?

It can be an unknown, sometimes scary, and awkwardly busy, yet exciting phase that involves exploring new possibilities and reflecting on the moments that captivate our interests. One might even refer to this chapter of life as “growing young.”

Florida Adventure

Since retiring, we sold our home in Ohio and moved all the way to southwest Florida, nearly as far as you can get before reaching the Everglades. Moving to this beautiful tropical area felt like discovering a hidden paradise! We settled into a brand-new home with a custom pool and a lanai enclosed by a screened room. Behind our home, a lake teemed  with abundant wildlife, both beautiful and potentially dangerous. Majestic large birds wandered through the yards, while intimidating alligators swam in the water and sunbathed around the pond. I even called the gators “Tick” after Tick-Tock, the gator in Peter Pan.  Each day, I felt a thrill observing the fascinating wildlife!

My husband and I led vibrant lives during our years in Florida. Each day, I enthusiastically facilitated yoga classes and a variety of energetic workouts in our lively community. My husband embraced the open air on his bike rides and took on a fulfilling part-time role at FedEx. Together, we embarked on exciting adventures, exploring the sun-kissed beaches, charming towns, eclectic shops, and serene wildlife refuges that surrounded us. Weekends were a special time, filled with the pulse of life in the historic downtown of Fort Myers. We reveled in music nights that resonated through the streets, danced under the stars, wandered through captivating art walks, and indulged in vibrant crafts and delectable food festivals. However, when COVID-19 struck, it cast a shadow over our social outings and curtailed our adventures. Instead, we embraced the tranquility of our beautiful home, transforming our pool area into a serene oasis where we could unwind and savor the peaceful moments during the quarantine.

Moving to Florida provided us with a chance to “grow young” again. We were swept away by a whirlwind of experiences as a couple, embarking on countless adventures that deepened our bond and filled our lives with joy. The vibrant beaches, golden sunsets, and warm air made Florida feel like a perpetual vacation. Yet, amidst this idyllic paradise, we found ourselves aching for our children. We had always envisioned spontaneous visits from them, where laughter and love would fill our sun-drenched home. Unfortunately, those moments came all too rarely, limited to special occasions. As we reflected, we realized that our children’s lives were busy and brimming with responsibilities. The demands of work, coupled with their beloved pets, anchored them firmly in Ohio. This revelation sparked a wave of introspection in us, leading us to embrace the idea of yet another adventure.