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Dear Diary...my passion is.....my kids!

By Simon Conway

Real Estate Agent with Orlando Area Real Estate Services

February 19, 2009 12:48 PM

fsu with rach Right now I am in Tallahassee, FL on a fact-finding mission with my youngest daughter (pictured on the right here outside Bobby Bowden Field at Florida State University). I am so proud of both of my girls and yet each and every day they find new ways to impress me.

Rachel just turned 18. We are currently trying to decide which college she should attend and we are blessed with many choices.

You see Rachel got into every university she applied for - including the three toughest ones in the State! So far three schools have offered her scholarships of one sort or another and here at Florida State they have invited her into their honors program as well.

If you'd of asked me a year ago, I would have said that if she got into the University of Florida - which she did - then there would be no decision to make. That is where she would go. But the package on offer from FSU is truly amazing.

So anyway, we came up here to get information from the honors program and tomorrow we will attend the preview event but I am beginning to think this will be her home for the next four years.

Then there is my older daughter - who will turn 20 next month. I really can't believe that Lauren is going to be 20. It was yesterday I held this small bundle in my arms and gazed down on her with wonder.

She is currently studying law at the University of Bristol in the UK - the 15th best law school in the world they tell me. Since the moment of her birth almost 20 years ago, my passion has been for my kids. Everything I undertake, i do with them in mind. They have both turned into fine young ladies with wonderful values and inquiring minds.

They are smart, beautiful, independant and exceptional in every way. My world changed the very instant that Lauren was born. All my priorities were new and the word "worry" finally had some meaning!

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Simon Conway is the winner of the FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction for Real Estate Agents in the Orlando area.

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net

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Comments(20)

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Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Awesome, Simon. My kids are my passion too.

Feb 19, 2009 01:07 PM

Shirley Parks

Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX

Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

In my opinion, kids and family should always be our passion. Sounds like you are very proud of your kids. It seems like just a few months ago that you and your daughter started checking out schools. Congratulations on your smart and pretty daughter.

Feb 19, 2009 01:18 PM

Susan Haughton

Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA

Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Simon, this made me a little teary eyed...you have two beautiful, wonderful daughters and your pride is just bursting through in your post. Good for you and for them! ;-) Congrats!

Feb 19, 2009 01:22 PM

Marchel Peterson

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

You have done a wonderful job with your girls! You deserve to be VERY PROUD!!

I have to admit my children are my passion also. Only 11 days until our son gets out of Iraq and on May 1st he gets out of the Army. He wasn't ready for college at 18 as many boys are not but he is READY now.

Your house is going to be quiet next year though. That will be a bit of a transition. Ours has been very quiet for several years now but the door has revolved and our son will be here for the next year as he gets his basics out of the way at the community college.

Feb 19, 2009 01:35 PM

Alice Linahan

Voices Empower - Argyle, TX

I love to see proud Dads. You have every right to be. There is hope for America. We do have great kids who are smart and have been taught what is right and true.

Keep up the good work!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Feb 19, 2009 01:44 PM

Deb Brooks

Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Way to go Rachel! And, a big pat on the back for you too dad. How proud you must be. Great post and filled with passion. Good to see you here!

Later in the rain~Deb

Feb 19, 2009 01:59 PM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Ah....the proud father. You have wonderful passion in your writing....about your children. Hmm..passionate guy you are :)

Feb 19, 2009 02:37 PM

Rob Arnold

Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL

Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

Congrats to your daughter. It sounds like she is doing just great. You should be very proud!

Feb 20, 2009 12:33 AM

Mike Frazier

Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN

Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Simon,

I also have two daughters, Lauren and Erin who are 15 and 12 yrs old. I got a late start in life as I am 52 now. You are right, they are our whole life. Did you get a chance to view the videos of my family right before we went to Salt Lake and during our Salt lake trip? I believe I have a post floating around here somewhere.

Feb 20, 2009 01:57 AM

Ted Baker

Carmody and Associates LLC - Winter Haven, FL

MidFloridaMediation.com

Simon - Congratulations on your children's happiness and success.

FSU and UF are both excellent schools, so factors such as financial aid packages, convenience or friends attending can be taken into consideration.

Depending on Rachel's choice for a field of interest, it may be appropriate to be more critical in the choice of a grad school if she decides to continue. But that decision is a ways away.

Best wishes to you and your family. It is going to get a little quiet around the house with two young ladies away at school.

Feb 20, 2009 06:33 AM

Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL

Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Simon,

I see you are taking it very seriously. When we came, my kids went to a college for English as second language, but after one semester it became obvious that they were wasting time, and they both went to State University of New York at Purchase.

Is your other daughter staying with your family members in England?

Feb 20, 2009 12:12 PM

Ricki Eichler McCallum

CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX

Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Kids are always our passion. Whatever else is never as important as our babies, our grown up babies :)

Feb 20, 2009 12:21 PM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Simon - I am hoping to write a post about my kiddos this weekend. It will not surprise you to learn that they are my passion, too!

Feb 20, 2009 02:54 PM

Broker Nick Goglucci

RE/MAX Select Group - Coconut Creek, FL

Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

Simon~ Congratulations, you are a good friend and a great Dad. Thank God they didn't get your ears :)

Feb 21, 2009 06:42 AM

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

Thanks for all the comments guys. AR didn't send out the standard e-mail notification otherwise I would have responded sooner!

NJ, Missy and Shirley - thank you!

Susan - I get teary-eyed all the time when it comes to my girls!

Marchel - as I've said before, both your son and the rest of your family have my thanks for your service. People forget that families serve too!

Alice , Sally and Deb - yes, very proud dad!

Rob - I am!

Mike - you have a Lauren too? I'll check out the post!

Feb 21, 2009 12:16 PM

Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

Ted - FSU are making a REALLY strong effort to get her. Feeling wanted is big too, but actually the biggest thing is the honors program. I think that is the decision maker for her. She fully intends to go to Grad School and although right now she says that will probably be UF, after four years at FSU I have a feeling she might stay there. It's a long time away so we will see.

Jon - no, my eldest daughter rents an apartment.

Ricki - yes indeed!

Jason - no surprise at all!! I'll check out the post.

Nick - Rachel thinks she has my ears which is why she keeps her hair long!!!!!

Feb 21, 2009 12:20 PM

Katerina Gasset

The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT

Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Simon- Very nice passion post about your girls. They are amazing and intelligent, makes you proud. They are what life is all about.

Feb 21, 2009 02:16 PM

Fran Gaspari

Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA

"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Simon,

it really makes you feel good when your kids do well...!!! Thanks, Fran

Feb 21, 2009 03:23 PM

Kathy McGraw

CELLing Realty - White Water, CA

Riverside County CA Real Estate

Simon- It is indeed a wonderful feeling when our children go off to college, full of wonder, hope and enthusiasm, we just can't help but be proud. Congratulations on raising what sounds like 2 very fine young women.

Feb 22, 2009 11:04 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Simon,

Thanks for sharing your passion with AR. I am now enjoying my grandkids more than I think I did my own daughter. Maybe it is age and also knowing that I can send them home each night. It only gets better with age they tell me.

Mary

Feb 25, 2009 08:07 AM