It’s My Life, Don’t You Forget

“It’s funny how I find myself
In love with you
If I could buy my reasoning
I’d pay to lose
One half won’t do
And I’ve asked myself
How much do you
Commit yourself
Oh, It’s my life
Don’t you forget
It’s my life
It never ends (it never ends)”

And so, we continue from where we left off in part 1 of my trip story!

I went to Theater of the Sea, wandered into a closed off spot, and found an employee who was there the day I visited. We talked about the magic and the splendor. Then I wandered the park with Sawyer, who really enjoyed the dolphin show (although maybe not as much as I did) but we were in the splash zone and eventually he cried and we had to leave! Luckily it was already wrapping up and I ran into the trainers a little later and got to tell them how much I enjoyed the show. The day was still young, but it was very hot without any shade, so we decided to keep exploring. First, we drove down Route 1 South instead of Route 1 North (back to the hotel) so I could explore Islamorada. I remember all of these little turnouts along the road where there were pretty trees and then you could just look right out into the ocean. They’re on both sides of the road so you can see the bay too. There was construction, but they were otherwise the same.

The vibe was different. The crowd was different. Heck, the whole world is different now.

We went back to the hotel after that, to decompress and eat and drink. We were still mostly living off all the food I had packed, but there was a Starbucks near the hotel that gave us some easy egg and bagel options. Then I decided to explore Coral Reef Park, which was only a few miles from our hotel! We wandered around the beaches and then entered the shop, where I bought some much needed board shorts. I asked the cashier about good walks to take and she said most of the beauty and wilderness of that park is underwater. They were renting out scuba and snorkel equipment, and glass bottom boat rides. It was pretty hot and the boat was leaving right then so I figured it wasn’t the best baby-friendly park. We went for a beachy walk instead.

Then it was right back to the hotel for rest, dinner, and sunset. We checked out the gift store and then got into our swimsuits and swam first in the beach and then in the pool. It was incredibly bonding because I would just hold him in the water and we swayed back and forth for hours. People would come and talk to us in the pool. One woman who has five grandsons came to talk to me and was almost disappointed that I have a daughter as well! I was a girlmom only for three years, people! Then I saw a man (maybe 60 or so) trying to smile at Sawyer so I walked (swam) over to him and he smiled and said he has a grandson about eight-months-old, so he wanted to hear all about Sawyer. Then his wife swam up and they told me that they live in Florida, but in another part, and were originally from NJ. “I’m from NJ!” I said. “Where??” They said! “Morris County.” I said. “We’re from Flanders!” They said. “No way! I’m from Flanders! But I went to Roxbury School District!” “Holy s***!” They said. (ok, maybe not aloud) “Our daughters went to Mt. Olive!” Then they asked if I knew the Baker twins and I instantly said those girls’ first names. This was eerie! We shared stories of every street and person we both knew. They literally know the street I grew up on! We talked for about an hour but I started to feel super weak, I think, from the exhaustion and hunger and thirst. And also the emotional excitement of being from the same small town in New Jersey. Just weird. So it was back upstairs to refuel.

That night was room service dinner, or maybe Starbucks leftovers. I don’t even remember.

As the day was winding down, we (I, really) started to realize it was going to be an awesome sunset. The sky had that look. So we went out a little earlier than when the pool bartender (yes, that was a thing in luxury land) told us to go out. We found a recliner near a group of four women (one who also had four kids and was only traveling with one) and just.. bonded. The hotel bar was playing Gin Blossoms, and I’m seeing them live in a couple weeks. The way Sawyer looked at me is forever imprinted in my mind and heart. It was a beautiful thing to experience.

That second night, I put the crib by the open door so Sawyer could face the ocean when he woke up. There wasn’t a sound of waves – the Florida Keys aren’t really like that – but there was a deep sense of calm. I loved going to sleep and waking up to him facing the water. And with that, I’ll leave you with a nice moon and ocean filled sense of wonder. Days 3 and 4 (and 5) are coming up, and they’re sure to have some magic as well. Alligators! (win) Winn-Dixie! (fail)

Until then!

This song was chosen because it was a hit song during that first 2003 trip.

“Funny how I blind myself
I never knew
If I was sometimes played upon
Afraid to lose
Oh, I’d tell myself
What good do you do?
Convince myself
Oh, It’s my life
Don’t you forget
Oh, It’s my life
It never ends (it never ends)”