#FloridaStrong

We left Florida last year. Even though we love North Carolina, we do miss our family and friends.

These past few weeks, when asked where we are from, the response has been, “I bet you are glad you left.”

Florida has been my home, in and out, for most of my life. It’s a beautiful place, with fantastic people. It’s paradise. It holds my heart and my memories.

Being out of state while the people we love experienced two life changing storms within weeks has been overwhelming. It surprised us as we were glued to @denisphillipsabcweather, waiting for updates. We were more stressed about these hurricanes than we ever were when we lived through them.

Those of us who are not in the areas that were hit by these storms are praying, worrying and loving you from afar. We don’t want to keep calling or texting because you are dealing with so much.

Our hearts are hurting for you. We can’t imagine what it feels like to lose everything inside your home and see it in the yard, waiting for the trash guys to come pick it up. Or to have the drywall cut out of every room. Or the smell of sea water after it invaded every space, every nook and cranny in your home.

Or what it feels like to lose pictures and all the little memories you have of a beautiful life built in that home.

Those things are devastating, only to have to stop the cleanup process because another storm was coming. This time, you could lose your home. It is unfathomable.

I know it feels overwhelming when people ask you what they can do to help. You are devastated, how can you know what you need?

If we were there, we would just show up and start helping you clean up and rebuild. We would bring food and clothes and whatever we could to help you through it.

For now, we pray for you. We are thinking about you. We love you.

The power will get turned back on. You will be able to get gas easier. You will build back. It won’t be easy, but you will do it. You will grab a Pub sub and get to work.

You are Floridians. You are #floridastrong. You are so very loved.

💜