We spent another unforgettable month in the Florida Keys, soaking up the sun and celebrating 25 incredible years together. It was a time filled with laughter, love, and lasting memories made with friends old and new. Despite the intense heat, and crazy wildfires along the 18 mile stretch into the keys, we made the most of every moment—enjoying evenings by the tiki bar, relaxing poolside, and heading out for some great fishing. Memorial Day gave us a chance to reflect and appreciate the time we have, even as we experienced the unexpected intensity of an active shooter situation that reminded us how precious life is. Through it all, the warmth of the Keys and the strength of our bond made this month truly special.

Travel day May 8,2025

On May 8th, the day of our 25-year anniversary, we flew into Fort Lauderdale Airport around 4 p.m., ready to begin another memorable month in the Florida Keys. After picking up our rental car, we headed toward Marathon Key, but our journey took an unexpected turn. As we approached Florida City and the entrance to the Keys on U.S. Highway 1, wildfires had broken out, forcing the road to close. Flames were visible from the highway, the sky glowed an ominous orange, and thick smoke filled the air. Emergency crews, police, and news reporters were everywhere, and like many others, we were left stranded. We ended up spending the night at the Holiday Inn nearby, waiting for the road to reopen. What we didn’t know at the time was that the fires may have saved our lives. That same evening, just a few hours later, an active shooter incident unfolded in Marathon Key—right next to our condo. The shooter had taken position on a rooftop, directly above the spot where we had planned to sit outside by the canal, sipping champagne to celebrate our anniversary. Had the fires not delayed us, we would have been there at the exact time of the shooting, potentially in the line of fire. The road finally reopened the next morning, and we continued our trip—grateful, shaken, and acutely aware of how narrowly we had escaped a terrifying tragedy.

Week 1: Cookouts, Fishing for tarpon, and pool time

Our first week in the Keys was filled with sunshine, great company, and unforgettable moments. We kicked things off with a cookout alongside my good friend Lana, grilling up delicious bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin and soaking in the laid-back island vibes. The canal behind our condo came alive with wildlife, and we were lucky enough to spot a few gentle manatees cruising through the water. We spent several evenings fishing for tarpon right in the canal—one of the most exciting moments was when I hooked my first tarpon and battled it for 32 exhilarating minutes before it broke the line and swam away. During the day, we relaxed by the pool, tanning under the bright Florida sun and letting the stress of everyday life melt away. It was the perfect start to our time in paradise.

Week 2 Adventures

Week two in the Keys brought a fun mix of quirky adventures and unforgettable experiences. One of the highlights was seeing Mini Kiss perform at the Key West Theater—a hilarious and energetic tribute band that had the whole crowd wondering what was going on………… We went into the charming local pet store in Marathon that Chris has been going to since he was a kid with his mom, where we met Bella, the sweetest cockatoo who stole our hearts with her gentle nature and playful personality. I wanted to take her home. We made several trips across the Vaca Cut bridge, taking in the sparkling water and ocean breeze, and stopped by Keys Fisheries where we watched massive tarpon, reef sharks, and vibrant parrotfish gather near the docks. We also watched as the Marathon Lady came back to dock to see their catch of the day. To top it all off, Chris surprised John with a hilarious prank gift—a real “Take a Number” machine—perfect for his sense of humor and love of all the Ladies …..haha. Week two was full of laughter, unique finds, and classic Keys fun.

Week 3: Memorial day week

Memorial Day in the Keys was one for the books—a perfect mix of sunshine, good food, laughter, and unforgettable moments with our Florida family. John fired up the grill and cooked an entire 18-pound turkey to perfection, while I made a big bowl of taco salad to round out the feast. We all met at the pool around 10 a.m. and spent the entire day soaking up the sun, sharing stories, and making memories that we’ll be laughing about for years. Lana had us all cracking up when she got busted for having glass bottles at the pool—thanks to a sneaky setup by Chris, of course. John, along with his proudly autographed inflatable float, stayed poolside all day, soaking in the fun. The guys even took staged prank photos of themselves drinking from glass bottles to send to their friend and condo president, Chico, just to stir the pot a little. It was a day full of love, laughter, and playful chaos, and by the end of it, I couldn’t help but feel so grateful for my amazing new Florida family.

Week 4: Our last week

Our last week in the Keys was a relaxed, easygoing wrap-up to an unforgettable month. We spent a lot of time just hanging out with friends, soaking in the laid-back island vibes. Chris went fishing often and even hooked a tarpon right in the canal behind the condo—an exciting catch that added to the fun. We lounged by the pool nearly every day, enjoying the last of the sunshine before heading home. One day brought a good storm that rolled in fast, leaving behind some minor flooding but also adding a cozy, tropical feel to the week. We spent a few evenings at the Skipjack Tiki Bar, sipping drinks and swapping stories with locals. It was also when we got to know Malarie and her two sweet kids, who quickly became part of our little Keys family. It was a great month filled with memories, laughter, and new friendships—and we already can’t wait to go back.

Headed Home

Who doesn’t love a little airport silliness to end a great trip? We kicked off our travel day with drinks and snacks in the Delta Lounge, enjoying one last bit of vacation luxury before heading home. We even scored an upgrade to Delta Comfort Plus, which made the flight a little extra comfy—especially helpful after Chris accidentally spilled his drink on me, which had us both laughing before we eventually nodded off and fell asleep mid-flight. We were definitely a little buzzed and still riding the high from our amazing month in the Keys, so it was perfect timing that Mom and Dad picked us up from the airport and drove us home. It was the perfect, chaotic, and funny ending to a trip we’ll never forget.