Florida Vacation...

A few weeks ago we were able to get down to St. Pete's Beach in Florida.  When Matt was a kid he and his parents started going there every week 13 (his spring break).  A lot of their family friends went as well and eventually his family and many of these friends purchased a one-week timeshare at this place.  When Matt graduated college they bought him his own unit - clearly hoping to secure one week with him no matter what he was up to in life - very wise indeed!  I started going when we were dating, then when we got married, my parents started coming and this year, my sister and her family also came!  It has become quite the expansive network of vacationers...

Last year we weren't able to go because of Australia and this year we had hoped to, but with Matt not working, months ago we had to tell everyone that we just weren't going to be able to afford it.  A few weeks before week 13, my dad called me and asked me one more time if we wanted to come down.  All of a sudden I desperately wanted to go - to see my family, and Matt's family - what is money next to memories right?  So I coerced Matt, we were able to use flight points and pull it off.

The very best part was that we decided that we wouldn't tell his parents or my sister of our change in plans.  We kept up the ruse by telling them all how sad we were and how we would miss them so much this year.

My parents picked us up from the airport and we surprised his parents first then my sister - they were all truly shocked!!  I think I saw tears in their eyes, but I can't be sure. 

Going to Florida each year is such an amazing blessing - and for us who don't live near our families and spend most of our vacations visiting them - it's the perfect way to see family and get a little beach time in as well!