What's Love Got To Do With It?

I LOVE Hawaii. Who doesn't? I lived there for 3 years and fell in love with the local culture as well as the beauty. There is so much more to it than you can discover in a week or two of vacationing on the beach. I LOVE that part too, don't get me wrong. 

In Feb 2007, my parents took us all to Hawaii--the first time I had been back and Ry's first trip there.  It was awesome to go back, but bittersweet to leave again.

Have you ever moved away from your "comfort zone" to a new and exciting adventure? After the initial excitement the reality of how far from that "comfort zone" you are starts to settle in and overwhelms you. So you either find the good or you find the bad. For a while I focused on the bad.

Family at my favorite restaurant on the island, L & L's Drive Inn.  Ono local grinds!

Then I made some good friends who made me forget the bad for awhile and focus on the good. That led to more great people and experiences until one day I woke up and realized I was in love  with my situation and didn't want it to change...ever. 

At the Polynesian Cultural Center.  I worked there for a while and would spend A LOT of time there when I wasn't working "hanging out" with friends and learning more about their culture.  

Local fruit stand on the side of the road on the North Shore.  

The people are what make Hawaii unique and wonderful.

I remember the day I got off the airplane for one of the last times, being unable to control my emotions because although I was back to the comfort and the people I loved, I knew that very soon I would be leaving the island I Loved forever.  That is the kind of LOVE I have for Hawaii.  

I also want to give a LOVE shout out to my wonderful parents.  I LOVE them for the great examples and support that they have been to me my whole life.  I couldn't ask for better.