A Quick Getaway to Sarasota, FL
Last week, we took a much-needed break and headed down to Sarasota, Florida. It wasn’t a long trip for me—just a few days—but it was packed with sunshine, family time, and a lot of slow, good moments.
My wife and one of our boys, William, had already been there for most of the week, staying with her cousins in South Sarasota. I flew down midweek—arrived Wednesday evening and stayed through Friday, then we all traveled back together on Saturday afternoon.
The weather was perfect. I mean really perfect. Not that sticky Florida heat you brace for—this was the kind of breezy warmth that makes you want to stay outside all day. And we did. A lot of walks, plenty of poolside lounging, and that slower pace that only happens when you’re away from your usual routine.
We spent some time exploring the Bay Park, which is this open space along the water with walking trails and incredible views. William loved running ahead, pointing out boats, birds, and the occasional stray lizard. One afternoon, we visited the local aquarium—definitely a highlight for him. We happened to catch the shark feeding, which was surprisingly fascinating and just the right amount of thrilling for a kid his age.
One small but oddly meaningful ritual that popped up during our time there was our daily walks to the dollar store. It sounds mundane, but there’s something special about letting your kid roam the aisles of a store where everything feels within reach. We'd walk there together, just the two of us, talk about nothing in particular, and come back with snacks or silly toys. Simple, easy joy.
On one of those days, I also treated William to a trip to Starbucks—his request. He’s currently obsessed with the mango dragonfruit refresher (the one that’s bright purple and hard to miss). Watching him sip it with that “I’m living my best life” look reminded me how even small routines can become the stuff of memories.
While the trip was mostly about family and unwinding, we also made time to meet with a local real estate agent. We’d been eyeing a couple of homes in the area and figured—why not take a look in person? The agent was fantastic: knowledgeable, down-to-earth, not pushy. He showed us two properties that definitely got us thinking. It’s too early to say where that’ll go, but it added a nice layer of possibility to the trip.
By the time Saturday rolled around, I wasn’t quite ready to head back. Even in a short span, Sarasota had managed to pull us into its rhythm—sunlight, family, small adventures, and that little voice in your head whispering, what if this was everyday life?
For now, it's not. But for a few days, it was.