We have arrived on Singer Island to celebrate our 21st anniversary. It was just about a three-and-a-half hour drive, marred only by a Diet Coke incident. We had just stopped at a McDonald’s, as is customary during travel, and switched drivers after a pee & purchase. My full Diet Coke was sitting in the cup holder as I made a mad dash onto the highway. It tipped over and landed in the passenger seat, soaking my wife’s dress in icy stickiness. Fortunately, she had a change of clothes in the trunk. I of course thought I might never hear the end of it, but after a brief outburst it was quickly forgotten.

We checked into the Marriott Vacation Club with minimal hassle and quickly settled into our room following a brief stop a the Marketplace for chocolate and chips, more necessary travel staples. They did not have our traditional chocolate-covered strawberries. I would have gotten another Diet Coke for the morning but sadly Marriott only serves Pepsi, their biggest flaw. We checked out the resort that includes several pools, Tiki bars, a playground, miniature golf, tennis, pickle ball, ping pong, billiards, and Cornhole. We also took a brief walk on the beach despite the gusty Atlantic winds. Our suite includes a full kitchen, washer/dryer, walk-out beachfront patio, two TVs, jacuzzi tub, and huge master bedroom. We will have a guest for one night and will make use of the sleeper sofa.

I did my run this morning in familiar surroundings. The half-way point was just about where we stayed last August in the second Marriott Vacation Club on this island. It was more of a high rise, while this one consists of seven separate buildings, each about 7-stories high with parking underneath. The amenities are similar, which is what we like about these Marriott properties. They think of everything so their are no surprises, but most importantly my wife is never disappointed. For us, it’s like a second home and Mother Marriott always takes care of us. We will be at more than a dozen other Marriott hotels over the next year including Panama City, Tuscaloosa, Nashville, Tampa, Kauai, Cleveland, Canton, Asheville, Hilton Head, and Phoenix. 

Tonight, we’ll take an Uber over to Palm Beach for an anniversary dinner at The Breakers. I was at this exclusive resort for a convention years ago and can recall its elegance. It was founded in 1896 by Henry Flagler, and the steakhouse that bears his name is our choice to officially celebrate twenty-one years. Last night was the actual date but we settled for pot pie and Netflix. I read the poem and my wife soon fell asleep on the couch after a sleepless night, cross-Florida drive, and unexpected Diet Coke douche. The Breakers will host the Johnstons this evening as it has U.S. Presidents and European nobility along with famous names like Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Astor, Carnegie. and Morgan. Breakers or Bust!