Thankful to Be Dragged Kicking and Screaming to Delray Beach…
Debbie Reynolds in her 10 Day Thanksgiving Post Challenge has asked that we share with you what we are thankful for.
You wouldn’t know it to read my Saturday posts but I had to be 
dragged kicking and screaming to Delray Beach!
In 1987, I had spent my entire life living in Houston. I’d been born there and most of my family was there.
However, in the late 80s the oil and gas market had taken a dive off of a very high diving (or oil) platform. At that time, everything in Houston centered around the Oil & Gas industry.
My clients were the major oil companies and any business that served them. Larry was building homes and the housing market took a tumble as well.
Florida, however, was doing very well.
One day, I went to lunch with a good friend and remarked that everything in my life was going so well I was afraid that something was going to happen.
It reminded me of a scene in Father of the Bride 2 ( see below)
“All those that think they have it made step forward...not so fast George Banks.”
That night Larry told me that his company was moving him to South Florida to start their home building operations there.
My world collapsed! ( yes I was dramatic)
We decided to marry ( remind me to tell you of his proposal someday) and within a few months, we were moving to South Florida.
We rented for 6 months before buying a home. I was so sick of palm trees and all that sun! Where was the rain? ( I soon discovered summer afternoon storms)
And PINK! What was with all of that pink in Boca??
After looking at every waterfront home from Boynton Beach south to Lighthouse Point we found a home in Delray Beach.
There were no pink stucco homes and we moved next door to the family that would become our extended family.
My neighbor welcomed us with a drink in each hand and we have been friends for almost 30 years.
One piece of advice she gave me stuck with me.
ROOT WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED
I had been resisting settling in, even putting off getting my Florida license but I am so glad that I listened to her.
We moved away once for work and returned in a few years and bought the house next door to where we used to live.
I am so thankful that while I had to be dragged here and still consider myself a Texan, I did root and now love the palm trees, sunshine, beach and wonderful small town community of Delray Beach.
