Family, Friends from 8+ years ago

Isn’t it amazing how fast life goes?  Thus was the story last night when I met up with friends, which I call my family, from Key Largo in Hubbard Lake, Michigan.

Back when I was applying for a Master of Fine Arts at Cranbrook in Michigan I was on a waiting list to hear; then I heard that I was not accepted.  Turns out that this would fuel the next part of my life.

I jumped in my car and set out to the Florida Keys to find work on a boat and get time to upgrade my 100-ton fishing license for the high sea.  Stopping at Thompson’s Sales and Service in Alpena led to another turn in my life when a one of the salesmen was talking to me and found out I was getting a checkup before the long solo trip south.  He gave me a number of a gentleman that lived in Hubbard Lake, Michigan, and was his good friend, up until he got into a accident and had to move to warmer lands.

With a bit of money in my pocket and just researching and talking to people along the way, I was bound to find a job on a boat somewhere in the Florida Keys.  Never been there in my life and wasn’t even sure what to expect.

After a good couple weeks of looking from Fort Lauderdale all the way to Key West I had no leads.  I was searching for work during the low season and pretty much out of ideas.  My money was running thin and I had to make a decision to get back in the car and head north or keep looking.

I still had the number that the salesman gave me and I pulled it out and had a look.  Maybe this guy was connected down here and could help me find a job?  Who knows…

So I called the number and his wife, Cheryl, answered.  Cheryl was really nice and accommodating and invited me to their house.  She told me to bring my things in and stay with them. 🙂  Then we went to meet Dan.  He was taking down a porch for a friend.  This is where the story was kind of funny.  Dan had received a call earlier in the week from a friend who was coming down to the Keys and Cheryl overheard Dan saying to come on over and stay with them.  Well, Cheryl thought that I was the friend.  So, when Dan met me, for the first time, and Cheryl thought I was his friend, it was a bit weird.  BUT, we clicked right away and they were the best hosts in town!

I put the word out that I was looking for work and so did Dan.  Dan put me to work hanging storm shutters with him at Ocean Reef Resort.  A VERY upscale resort where we worked at the president of Coca-Cola’s “cabin” and a pretzel company owners “cabin.”  Um, these “cabins” were like 6000-8000 square foot amazingly detailed works of art with what was literally an art museum inside.  It was interesting and really cool just seeing the houses, yachts, and the ubber wealthy.

I found a job shortly with the Sun Cruz Casino boat in Key Largo working as a mate.  This would be my savior.  I worked there for about a month and the, luckily found a job on a party fishing boat, The Miss Tradewinds, at Whale Harbor in Islamorada.

At this point I had found an apartment in Key Largo and was doing great.  The money was good and I was working long hours on the boat, just like I had planned.  I remained in the Florida Keys for almost a year working on the Miss Tradewinds.  I had a good amount of friends visit and I loved being there short term.  Living there is a whole nother story.

It was a sad day when I decided I was going to move up to Chicago to be with my, now wife Megan.  Of course I wanted to be with Megan but in Chicago?  Florida Keys ~ Chicago, hmmmm.

Life progressed, I married my beautiful wife, we moved to Allegan, Michigan, lived for four years, then we moved to Rudyard in Michigan’s UP.

Thursday I got a email from my mom saying Dan with a 305 florida keys number.  I wondered how she got it but I didn’t talk to her before heading to Hubbard Lake for the Wedding rehersal on Friday.

So on the way I decided I would call Dan.  I left a message and he called back and left a message saying he is in Alpena and leaving to tomorrow.  He had no idea that I was on the road to Alpena as he spoke.  So I called back again and finally spoke with him.  I told him I would be in Hubbard Lake for a weekend Wedding and he says, “that is where I am at.”

Dan and Cheryl met me last night at the local bar for drinks and chatting until the band started playing and we had to leave.  They are doing GREAT and Dan has built and restored houses now in a bunch of areas of the country and they are traveling in a Mercedes Van that is converted to an RV.  Pretty cool.  He says he gets 22 miles per gallon with the diesel engine too!

It was great seeing my past family that changed my life for the better and really were the reason that I spent a year in the Florida Keys.  I had my white flag flying at that point and cruise was set for the Midwest.

Great to see old friends and be able to chat like it was just yesterday that we were hanging out at their beautiful home on the bay in Key Largo with one of the best sunsets that I have ever seen.  Dan and Cheryl’s yard is a tropical wonderland and they have a better orchid garden than Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids!  Dan is also into collecting native american arrowheads and he has a large collection – fantastic!

I believe in Destiny and that things happen for a reason.  I know this happened for a reason and I am grateful that they are doing well and happy.  I will see them soon and hopefully be able to hang out with them before 8 years passes!

Bye the way, I married my wife in Key West, Florida five years ago, and I would have never picked this location if it hadn’t been for my time in the Keys and love of it.  Thank you Dan and Cheryl again!

Today is going to be stellar.  The day is looking perfect and the Wedding here on Hubbard Lake is going to be AMAZING!  Can’t wait to capture the day and show the beautiful ideas and planning that this family did for their “Love Lodge” wedding!