Key West

One year ago we arrived in Key West. I remember it like it was yesterday. We were on day five of our driving adventure. We were exhausted and tired of being on the road. We had finally gotten tot he Keys and were so excited that we were only 120 miles and 2 hours away from being at our destination. 3 1/2 hours later we arrived. It was also the weekend of the annual poker run, so there were bikers everywhere. It was quite the first impression.

Now, here we are a year later and 1/3 of the way through this assignment. When we first got here, I hated it. I'm a city girl and this is the farthest away I've been from my family. Zach had been overseas for 4 years, so I think the move was a little easier for him. Now that we've had plenty of time to adjust, I think my attitude has changed a little bit. I don't hate Key West and I don't love it, I just feel indifferent towards it. I've gotten used to the fact that there are no regular trips to Walmart or Target. That you have to order most things online because chances are it's not here. That things move at a snails pace. That everyone expects you to enjoy the beach (which, I'll just get it out there, I don't. I think it's the fact that sand is impossible to clean up). And that there is a whole lot of crazy down here.

It's not all bad though. We have already made some wonderful memories. Like going to the aquarium, butterfly conservatory, the treasure museums, and of course going on the conch (pronounced "conK" not "conCH") train. And a trip to the Dry Tortugas. Just about all of our immediate family members have made it down once or twice. This will be where Haley has some of her first memories of and Emily probably won't remember any of it at all. If Emily ever comes back to Key West, all she has to do is tell the locals she is a conch baby and she will be treated like a local. The rest of us on the other hand, not so much.

I may not totally love where we are, but it has been one of those small blessings in disguise. We have expanded our family to four. I have the ability to stay home and watch our girls grow up. Zach enjoys his job. We have all made wonderful new friends.

When I tell people that I live in Key West, they tell me I am so lucky and they would trade with me in a heartbeat. I just tell them it's a nice place to visit. I just keep telling myself, two more years and we get to leave. I can't wait!