Trail of Turquoise

My best friend introduced me to the white sands, swaying palm trees and turquoise waters of Florida when I was 13 years old.

It was on a sweltering August day that my plane touched down with a thud.  I unbuckled my seatbelt and thought to myself "I made it!".  It's all I could do not to clap my hands and shout in glee, like the child I was trying so desperately not to be.

As passengers began to spring to life, I stuffed my camera filled with prized images of clouds (it was my first flight, give a kid a break) into my carry-on and with all the strength my tiny frame and oversized ego could muster, dragged my loot toward the exit.

After being collected by my best friend's family at baggage claim, we made our way outside.  It was within a few steps and one upward glance that I was greeted by two things I had been anticipating for some time: The majestic sight of my very first palm tree and the wall of humidity I thought I might have to scale in order to get to the parking lot.

For that moment, I stood there, giddy with excitement and without doubt, head-over-heels in teenage love.

As my years and story unfolded, my love affair with Florida never faded. There was no doubt that we were in a long-term, long-distance relationship, Florida and I. Time was split, a weekend here, a week there, always pining for the next visit. Always flirting with the idea of moving there "next".

As always, The Universe has an amazing way of working things out because somehow, someway "next" happened.  I no longer have to rendezvous with my sweetheart.  Now, I'm here, full time, soaking in the smell of dewy grass in the morning, looking up at the swaying palms in pure delight and gazing out at the turquoise waters in as much awe and love as I did through my sparkling teenage eyes.

You might be wondering what the moral of all this is, right?  Well, that's an easy one...

Love lasts, friends.  Don't let anyone tell you differently.

:: Always from under the same sky ::

Tara

Imagery courtesy of (top to bottom / left to right):

Silver-blonde.tumblr.com/post/47038487177/d-o-l-c-e-coconut

Store.mollusksurfshop.com/collections/san-francisco/products/510-hess-lola

The Gingham Owl via Etsy

Sea-gypsy.tumblr.com

Shop.holstee.com

Eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/vintage-apothecary-bottles-free-labels

Colorfulvansanddarktans.tumblr.com/post/6047434965

Cardigansandcookies.tumblr.com/post/12666175466