When an enormous loss made me question what I would do next, I went ahead with my plans. Moving from Georgia to Florida and beginning a new career, I learned an important lesson.

This was not how I pictured beginning my life in Florida. The intention behind my plan to move here in 2013 was to spend more time with my Daddy, whose health was declining. Then on the day he was supposed to move to Florida, he passed away.

I was an only child and very close with my daddy throughout my life. He worked long hours while I was growing up, but Saturdays were for us. Daddy called them, “Super Saturdays.” We would go out for lunch, ice cream and shopping, just the two of us, before picking up dinner. As a military veteran, he was extremely hardworking and patriotic, values which he passed on to me.

With a heart for service, I went into teaching straight out of college. I spent 15 years teaching in Georgia elementary schools and loved it. I’ll never forget the very first child I helped while still going through student teaching. He looked up at me with big blue eyes and asked if I would be his mommy. I later found out he was from a nearby orphanage and learned that situations are often not as they appear. There is always more going on underneath the surface. Though it was hard work, I found my career extremely rewarding. I had the opportunity to help make children’s lives meaningful and purposeful by inspiring them to be more than those situations they were in. One of the biggest honors of my teaching career was being recognized by one of my student’s parents as the local Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club 2007 Teacher of the Year.

I finished out my last year, gearing up to leave it all behind and spend more time with my dad. Losing dad at this time in my life and my mom at a very young age, suddenly made me pause, but in the end, I decided to honor my plan and move to Florida. It was strange to leave a career I loved so much while at the same time losing someone close and realizing that I am all on my own. For the first couple years here, I worked in corporate training, not quite sure what to do next.

My faith is very important to me and is an integral part of who I am. I remember going to church as a young girl and learning to love everyone for who they are. Jesus was my best friend, and as an only child, he kept me company during times I would have otherwise been on my own. I know God is always with us, and we are never truly alone in life, even during the hard parts. Returning to that love and service which have guided my life, I became involved at the local VFW Post 2550, as an auxiliary member in 2014.

I found my community, and though the family I planned on did not make it here, I built a new one with my friends. I became a licensed REALTOR® in 2016, something I had wanted to do for many years. Like teaching, I have to wear a million hats and support my clients on each of their journeys. I have found the same passion for real estate that I once had in a classroom.

Life has periods of ups and downs. Sometimes we are confident, and then something happens to change that. Each time, we must regain our confidence—our strength. We have to be strong for ourselves first before we can be strong for anyone else. “During a storm, a buffalo runs right into the storm to get through it faster. ‘Be the Buffalo.’”-G. Keller. While I am sure there will be many more challenges along the road, I make the conscious decision to have a positive outlook each day. Like my brand, “Fun in The Sun,” I choose to lead a happy, fun life. Whenever I am not working, I enjoy going to the beach, boating, attending local golf carting events, cacti gardening and riding horses. My favorite part of being a REALTOR® is meeting new people and strengthening my lifelong relationships with others.

With my background in education, I am uniquely positioned to guide my clients throughout the real estate process. I can break it down into smaller parts, answer questions and keep you prepared. I have extensive experience in residential and investment real estate. Once the sale is closed, I will continue to support your real estate goals as your lifelong REALTOR®.