Up To The Surface

I have lived my entire life in one of only two places. Lakeland, Florida or St. Augustine, Florida. for eighteen years on the nose, I was a Lakelander. I grew up walking on Florida Southern College's campus for recreation. I grew up shopping in Lakeland Square Mall I grew up with Polk County's rural roads and warm weather. Then, right on the eve of my 18th birthday, I moved to St. Augustine for college. For eight and a half years now, I have lived on the first coast. I see boats and marinas daily, walk through areas that are colorful with Spanish design. The winters here have more icy mornings and nor-easters are common. The nearest city is Jacksonville, and the southern half of it is also part of my "territory". I've never known what it's like to spend more than a short vacation in any other state or region of Florida. Since I haven't moved around much, the idea that one day I could have to say goodbye to this town and to the streets ...

Second Chances Sometimes, people have a relationship and it falls apart. It’s not always certain, when getting to know a new romantic interest, if that connection and love interest will last a lifetime or wind up reaching an impasse. This is why we have a trial period with those whom we have a connection. Some call it dating. Some call it courting. Some marry their best friend. Usually people know and spend time with each other for anywhere from six months to several years before officially tying the knot. Hopefully they take this time seriously to learn each other. Some do not. Many relationships result in a marriage, but many end with the two people going separate ways. Often, once people end their romance, they move on to start new ones with someone else. The reasons they choose not to stay with the last person may vary. Maybe their futures didn’t mesh well and they would be physically going separate ways because of careers. Maybe they weren’t equally yoked in their faith...