Step 27: First 3 days in Florida

Florida Day 1:


I couldn’t have picked a worse time to visit Marc. Unfortunately the poor thing was in the middle of Law School Finals week --which is basically hell. Originally I’d planned on spending more of my Florida time with him but reallocated to give him study time! In the morning Marc and I headed over to his apartment buildings pool and I relaxed reading while he furiously typed notes and studied away. I miss that about Florida. Even on crazy days in college I was still able to somewhat enjoy myself if I could get some study time done by the pool.

He had lunch plans with a group of law school friends as a going away luncheon to one of the girls who graduated --so we got dressed and headed into the city. The funny thing was that when Marc picked me up at the airport I was in an outfit he remembered well. My cargo pants and an old pink tank top. We had a laugh about it. Well, today I was wearing my graduation dress which was the last thing he’d seen me in! It was so funny. He was like, “do you ever throw things away?” We met up with his friends on the pier at a Cuban restaurant called Columbia’s. http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/



The St. Pete Pier where we had lunch


Marc’s friends were quite lovely and the food excellent…the bread was amazing! It was nice to see he had a group who could sympathize with his Law School madness. After that we went back to the apartment and sunbathing/studying resumed for the afternoon. Then we went grocery shopping and made a nice dinner. His boyfriend came home and I finally met the person in his life which was nice. I’m so happy for him. Simple day, but just what I was needing.


Florida Day 2:

Today was a similar repeat to yesterday. However, Marc and I were able to head out on a run together which was very nice. He had a study group on campus so we headed that way, but first stopped at his favorite little Cuban (apparently we love Cuban) restaurant on the way and then we were at the Stetson Law School campus. It was small but lovely, similar style to Rollins architecturally. He showed me around briefly and we made plans to meet up later.  I first took a walk around the area before finally settling in with my book outside the little library. A while later Marc and I met back up and returned to his apartment and our pool side positions. I was working on my perfect Florida tan; he was working on getting through Law school.


Florida Day 3:
The next day…Now Thursday April 29th Marc and I woke up and headed to Panera (oh how I had been missing you Panera! http://www.panerabread.com/) where my friend Leah…aka Mane would be picking me up. The three of us enjoyed a nice breakfast and then Marc said goodbye. Leah and I were headed to Orlando for the day. More precisely we were headed to Rollins, our old college.



I met Leah my freshman year at Rollins. Part of my scholarship demanded that I be ‘involved’ in a leadership role while attending. After scanning my options I somehow ended up joining the organization called A.C.E…or All Campus Events. We organized music shows, comedians, picnics, and all sorts of other random ‘events’ to happen on campus for student life. When I was a freshman, ACE was being led by 5 juniors and 1 senior. Leah was one of the juniors in charge.

Leah and I on Lake Virgina...Rollins Campus Lake

Not joining a sorority—non-the-less not even attempting to join—at Rollins meant a whole slew of things (about 85% of Rollins is Greek). None of which I could have given a damn about. ACE became one of the places where I found myself fitting into at Rollins. These were people I felt akin with. Similar to Marc, I hadn’t seen Leah in over 5 years but we had always remained in touch and it was great to see her.



Lovely Winter Park

 We headed to Orlando, Hwy 4; Man the memories and hours of time I’ve spent on that horribly maintained Hwy! I had already arranged visits with my two favorite professors for the afternoon and was looking forward to seeing Rollins for the first time since I graduated. When we got to Winter Park we first took a walk around my old college town, walking down Park Avenue—Winter Park really is such a lovely little town. We then heading into lunch at an old favorite spot—Powerhouse Café. My ex-boyfriend had worked in Powerhouse so I’d spent countless hours sitting on their stools. The two owners greeted us warmly—with hugs—when we walked in.

The Powerhouse owners

After a great lunch we walked over to the campus. The beautiful campus I was so blessed to have attended for 4 years of my life. We walked all around and took pictures.

Outside my old house ROC (Rollins Outdoor Club) where Marc and I met

We parted ways to meet up with our separate professors. I first made my way to Jill Jones’ office and with huge hugs we decided to go get her a bite to eat and me something to drink. We sat outside the bookstore café and for over an hour catching each other up on the last 5 years of life. We’d kept in touch since I’d left Rollins and I knew she had fought her way through cancer. She had always inspired me, but these new stories really brought out the strength I always respected in her so much. While I was at Rollins, Jill was a source of so much knowledge for me. She trusted me and she supported me when all the other teachers in my major thought I was failing them. As a professor and person I really love her.

Jill and I on the Rollins campus

Next I went to see Ed, my teddy bear. Ed Cohen was the very first teacher I ever had at Rollins. Obsessed with Sherlock Holmes; he was my advisor, professor, and friend throughout my time there. I’d been invited to his home for meals, always got hugs from him; he was my go to when I needed a little boost. His wife had just recently died and I wanted to be there for him this time around. When I walked into his office we had a hug and he quickly got into his usual story teller mode. No one can tell a story the way Ed can.


After about 1 and 1/2 hours of stories about his wife, everything he was going through, tears by both of us, and my future we said goodbye. It was so wonderful that he opened up to me like that. I love that man so much and I know he would bend around backwards for me if he could. What a gift I have in someone like him believing in me so much.


After our time at Rollins, Leah and I drove to my favorite park in the area. I used to run from Rollins to this park just about everyday. It was my get away. I loved it there so much. Usually quiet and peaceful. More of a neighborhood park than a public town park, so few people and lovely lake views. We spent some time there and then headed out to the Disney area of Orlando.

In my old favorite hidden park

Tonight we were going to the HOB…The House of Blues…to see a band called BOH.. ‘Band of Horses.’ (strange coincidence). I had only heard a little of their music but it sounded good and I always loved that venue so there we were. Crowded in we found a spot on the floor and watched a great show by both the opener band ‘Josh Roberts and the Hinges’ and then by ‘Band of Horses.’ Though I loved the music, not sure it’s the best for live. Especially if you have to stand the hole time. Not exactly dance music…better as chillin’ in the house music. http://www.bandofhorses.com/us/home


After the show we headed to a friend of Leah’s place. He lived in Disney’s suburban life town—Celebration, Florida. We arrived and as soon as we said our hello’s we also said our good nights.