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Things I've Learned Since Moving Here

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2008

I love hot weather - but I've learned that I don't love hot weather that lasts way past summer with no end in sight. I moved from Washington State in June and I'm not used to summer being 12 months long.

Now the weather has cooled down, but it is still hot. The holidays are gone and I'm still wearing tank tops, shorts and flip-flops. I miss being able to bundle up.

People tell me I will acclimate, but I don't quite believe it. People also tell me it really does get cold here. I'll believe that when I feel it.

I've learned that Florida residents have a wonderful sense of Southern hospitality.

As we drove across the country from Washington to Florida, the farther south we got, the nicer people were to us. It was a difference my husband and I noticed right away. And we appreciate it. Maybe the gray skies in Washington and the high rates of depression there have something to do with the grumpiness, but the friendliness and respectfulness most Floridians show is a wonderful change.

I've learned that owning a home makes me feel like a part of the community. And said home being nowhere near MacDill strengthens that feeling.

I've been an Army wife for the past seven years and we have always lived either on an Army post or rented a home within a 10-minutes drive of an Army post. I was always surrounded by other Army wives and thus had the benefit of that support network. We could just concentrate on our own situations and not be concerned with the issues of the cities and towns surrounding us.

Being an Army spouse always made me feel like a transient resident. Now that my husband and I have purchased property, I have a desire to be aware of what is going on in my surrounding community. I'm not just a transient resident - I belong here. I registered to vote in Florida. My daughter goes to public school, and we pay property taxes.

For the first time since moving away from my hometown, I actually care to watch the local news and read the local newspaper. More than just wanting to stay current with Tampa Bay issues, I feel I need to stay current. As a member of the community, I feel it is my responsibility to be aware and to care.

I've learned that Floridians do not believe in reserving the fast lane on the freeway for those driving the fastest. This irritates my husband to no end. I'm not so concerned - unless I'm in a hurry. Then it really is irritating.

Keep the left lane open for the speed demons and those people who are in a hurry. If we could all abide by this, then there wouldn't be so many irritated speed demons weaving in and out of all three lanes trying to get around the rest of us. And maybe there would even be fewer accidents. And I would have lower blood pressure since I would no longer be in the passenger seat next to my speed demon husband weaving in and out of traffic.

Melissa Martin is an Army wife and mother of three.

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