I would not trade the 8 years I've lived on the coast, for anything. It's been an unbelievable experience.
Many people have asked me 'how' I can leave paradise. Let me answer this by sharing a quote I found: "Anywhere is paradise; it's up to you." ~Author Unknown.
My interpretation is: "Paradise is anywhere you want it to be".
The gulf coast is gorgeous and indeed a Paradise. However, if your family, friends and loved ones are elsewhere, Paradise can be a lonely place at times.
I will miss my friends here and Pensacola. I will miss sunsets on the beach and walks in the warm sand. I will miss having chocolate swirl coffee out on my deck while smelling the salty air from the gulf.
However, I look forward to: chocolate swirl coffee on a patio with huge pine trees towering above, or a glass of wine on the deck overlooking the Lake, seeing thousands of stars from a totally dark slough. I will be only 2 hours from Brooke who is now in Montgomery. I look forward to having dinner with my parents, dinner with old friends in Bham, and visits with my dad in particular (I am a daddy's girl). I look forward to hanging out with new friends I've made in Alex City, and yes, I look forward to being closer to Don !
The sad part of all this is that I will be moving away from my son Ryan and his wife Ashley. But you can bet I will be visiting frequently.
I do not expect life to be perfect. It's not perfect here either. But I am happy I'll be near 'home'.
