After saying goodbye to Heather and her family in Bluffton, SC, my original plan was to go to Tennessee to visit with my sister-from-another-mister, Mo, and her good friends, while she was on vacation.  However, while hanging out with my Bro in Florida, he reminded me that our brother-from-another-mother and his family were in Charlotte, NC, so it was only fitting that I visit all these unofficial siblings en-route to my Tennessee destination. 

While I was in high school, Ryan, a friend of my brother’s, moved in with my family rather than relocating with his parents to Charlotte.  I had seen him a couple times since then, when he and his family would visit Fort Myers for summer vacation. I mean, since, I had met his wife and son, it didn’t sound like too a crazy idea to stop in and say hello.  Tim texted Ryan, and before I knew it, I had a night planned in Fort Mill, SC, to catch up with Ryan and his family. 

The first night we had dinner with some of their friends and as they talked about their weekend plans I was wishing that I had planned more of a visit, than just a pass through.  They urged me to stay, and even though Mo and her friends were already in Tennessee, they weren’t really “waiting” for me, so when Ryan mentioned he had the next day off and was going to hang out by the pool, hang out and have a BBQ, I changed my plans to stay an extra night. 

The day was one of those awesome summer days that I remember from living in the midwest.  It isn’t sunny and nice in places like Fort Mill every day, like it is most days in Florida, so people really embrace and live it up in the summertime.  There is a contagious feeling in the air of summer vacation, the glow of lightening bugs and the smell of cut grass and meat on the grill.  It was just such a day, floating in the pool, eating ribs and homemade mac-n-cheese (after floating in the pool) and hearing about the life Ryan and his friends live in the Carolinas.  I even had shooting practice with a hand gun and cross bow!  

If every place that I visit on this trip is as welcoming as Bluffton and Fort Mill I may never choose a final destination.  Could I just keep traveling?  Would anyone mind if I just keep swinging back around?!  Surely, living out of my car will get old after a while but until then, I’m embracing it! 

I even also had a chance to meet two former colleagues for breakfast each day while in Fort Mill.  I knew that they were both somewhere in the area. As it turned out, Renee was nice enough to drive north, and Trish agreed to drive south, so ensued a nice little reunion. These were also Facebook connections that would not have happened otherwise. 

The theme I seem to be see repeating on this trip is that everyone, whether they are old friends, new friends or family, everyone, has a unique viewpoint and insight into my situation.   They all have ideas for what they would do in my position or why they love the places that they live in, and I should move there, too.  It is a wonderful feeling to have that sounding board and idea bank to support me in this slightly uncertain time. 

One more day of feeling blessed to have awesome friends and family.