Florida Thanksgiving

This was lightly edited via A.I., but I did proofread, so hopefully everything make sense. 🙂

This time, I loaded everything onto my tiny, powerful phone from China (shh!). Cards and boarding pass went into my mobile wallet—no more paper! The phone’s brightness and scrolling worked great, unlike my last flight when the app failed to display the pass. NFC is now mainstream, with “Tap to Pay” everywhere, and the wallet works offline too.

My journey began at a hazy airport in Illinois, dreaming of Florida sun and family celebrations with nearly 20 people. I wished for a better U.S. train system—High-Speed Rail would make Tampa reachable in seven hours. My daydream broke when boarding groups were called without an intercom.  Tiny airports are the best.

The flights were uneventful but interesting. A man on my first flight, proud of his solitary land, disliked Illinois—perhaps due to taxes or politics. Another, a Tennessee carpenter, shared his nervous excitement about starting a new job, mirroring my own experience. Over Sprite (and his vodka-orange juice), we chatted about our transitions.

Thanksgiving in Tampa was at a spacious house, where warmth and hugs flowed. People recognized me from the wedding two years ago, which impressed me. The celebration combined Thanksgiving, a 15th birthday, and an engagement party. Dinner was split into “older” and “young” tables, with stories of high school antics stealing the show. My dinner companion, also starting a new job, joined an emerging pattern of career transitions.

Friday featured St. Petersburg’s “Sunken Garden,” with plants from around the world. After browsing the museum briefly, restless kids reminded me of the importance of proper parenting. Dinner at a waterfront seafood spot was delicious but chilly.  I came to Florida to escape cold weather.  Later that evening, we saw Wicked. Packed with excited theatergoers, the film dazzled with its production and music. Ariana Grande’s high notes drew gasps, and the full theater experience felt vibrant after years of streaming at home.

Returning to Illinois was rough. A late Tampa departure left just 16 minutes for my Atlanta connection. I sprinted to the gate, boarding last but relieved. My checked bag didn’t make it, arriving the next day thanks to kind Midwestern airport workers. Despite being cold and tired, I was grateful it all worked out.