One Door Closes and Another Opens!

Shivering, drinking hot cocoa, and bundled up in blankets – this is the Halloween I am used to, but not this year. For once, there was no fighting over who was going to take the kids trick or treating so the other person could stay inside and hand out candy while staying warm. I used to think freezing to death on Halloween was normal – Boy was I wrong!!

Thanks to the amazing people in our office, I got to experience a whole new Halloween here in the tight knit community of St. Augustine, FL. It’s pretty much the opposite of what I am used to, as it was 80 degrees at 7:00pm and I was surrounded by shorts, t-shirts and some of the nicest people I’ve ever met while handing out candy. I was used to people opening the door and passing out candy and a cup of coffee. Here you get your choice of candy, lemonade, ice tea or beverage of choice (wink-wink)!

Another thing that stood out to me was the amount of radio flyer wagons not carrying children like back home – but rather coolers full of drinks. You would be walking down the neighborhood street and someone would say, “hey, want a drink”? Of course I do – I’m sweating like crazy, walking around in the 80-degree heat on Halloween! I mean, who sweats in October?! I do now! Heck, we sat on Emily’s driveway until 8:15pm in the dark and I was still on fire.

Being an outsider looking in, the community down here is amazing. Everyone is thoughtful, considerate and fun! Though I was 3000 miles from home, my Halloween didn’t miss a beat and made me feel that much closer to my new community.

#StarbucksFrap

#ShawnKemp (The Reign Man)

#Barista