God’s greatest gift to me is His son, Jesus Christ, and salvation found only in Him. His second greatest gift is my husband. After four months of waiting before leaving New Mexico and four months in Tennessee without a home, Kenn suggested a trip to the beach for the two of us before our closing.
He planned a five-day vacation starting in Miami, traveling to the Florida Keys to spend a night in Marathon, and ending back in Miami. Since I have a story idea that takes place in the Everglades, I suggested we visit there again even though we’d spent time there in December 2019. Kenn agreed without hesitation.
He carried my extra lens as I took photos of manatees, gators, turtles, and the prettiest grasshoppers I’ve ever seen. And since I want to stay close to reality in my story and not exaggerate or add coincidental happenings, we found a ranger and asked him a few questions. When I realized my storyline needed tweaking, Kenn offered great ideas for changing it to express truth within my fiction.
My current project includes scenes that take place in Key West. We hadn’t planned to travel to the southernmost tip of the United States because we’d traveled there two years before. But when I asked about revisiting the area, hubby was eager to please. While there, I paid close attention to our surroundings, which I hope will spill out onto the pages as I continue to write Ben and Becca’s story.
In Key West, we sat along the edge of a wall while waiting on a table at a beach café. Kenn stepped away for a few minutes while I stared at my phone. A squawk sounded in my right ear, causing me to shriek. A rooster stood on the wall within a foot of me. After he jumped down, I chased him so I could grab a picture.
Another highlight for me was our visit to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. I’ve enjoyed butterfly exhibits in the past in Phoenix and Chattanooga, and this one was no exception. I took several photos of their vibrant colors.
Our getaway turned out to be an informational trip for my books and a relaxing time with my second greatest gift. Kenn puts my needs and interests before his own, considers my feelings, and treats me with kindness and respect. He’s a good example of a Christ-like husband, and I thank the Lord for blessing me as He has.
