I fell in love with Florida when I was able to travel to Disney with the band in 1997. I had never experienced anything like it. The palm trees, theme parks, characters and so much more. I was able to go back my Senior year in high school for a choral competition and it was just as amazing. BUT at the time I was on so much of a different path. I enjoyed Disney but it wasn't until later that I fell in love with Disney.
Fast Forward to 2008, I had worked at AAA Carolina the year before and had went to Florida for a carnival ship tour group! It was amazing and so much fun. I met 2 amazing people that I still have contact with. In May of 2008, Me and my two friends were getting ready to go on our first Disney cruise when the day before I was to leave, I got a call from Disney HR about wanting to do a phone interview for a position at their call center. WHAT? I was over the moon to think about me working for Disney! I flew to Orlando and the next day at an amazing phone interview that later turned into an in- person and a job offer. What I learnt from Disney was that it isn't as perfect as I thought. I lost part of the magic knowing so much and seeing the behind the scenes workings.
Fast forward again to 2012. I got a job at the Sea World call center! It was wonderful and I met one of my best friends my first day of training! June of this year my parents and grandpa moved to Florida with me!! At this point I imagined that I would be in Florida forever! I had the majority of the people that mean the most to me in this world in my favorite place. My grandpa had some health problems and the days I had imagined of us at the parks where soon filled with intensive care units, tube feedings, physical therapy and doctors that wouldn't do anything because of my grandpa's age. In late 2013, we moved to North Caroline to be close to one of the best geriatric hospitals in the nation. And in 2014 moved back to Missouri
Fast Forward again to 2016. February 2nd 2016 my grandfather passed from this world :( I was left with a huge void but suddenly so many options. My first though was I wanted to move back to Florida. I miss always having activities and something always to do! Theme parks, beaches, natures and so much more were always just minuets away! But that isn't all. I have so many amazing memories in Florida. I remember moving in with my roommate ( I have now lived with her 3 times) the first time. I remember the first time I went to gulf side beaches and how different they are from the Atlantic side. I remember the first time I walked into a Disney Park as an employee and the same for Sea World and the first time I worked for Universal. But most of all I remember the people. I remember Twilight marathons, being goofy at the parks, the goals that my papa had, the first time my papa met Mickey Mouse. So that is why Florida is my HOME. It is where my heart hold so many amazing memories, laughter, tears and so much more!
