This post was sponsored by T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
At the end of 2015, I packed up my apartment in NYC and moved my family down to south Florida. Everyone asked me why I would make such a drastic move. I love New York. Was born and raised there, met my husband there, had my kids there…love everything about it…except for the cold. But, besides eternal sunshine and warmth, Florida had something priceless.
My Family.
My mom’s family is all down in south Florida (literally 80% of them are within a 2 block radius of each other) and my brother was in school down there too. I moved down and bought a house nearby knowing my mom was moving down shortly after, as well. Since moving down, I have realized the blessing that is. Outside of getting the best home-cooked Jamaican food ever whenever I want it, I have the most loving (spoiling) babysitters for my kids on-call!
My business would not be where it is now, if I was still in NYC. I didn’t have anyone I trusted with my babies, and because of this, I turned down opportunities left and right. I was overwhelmed with caring for them and trying to keep a house up, and was not doing everything I needed to do to make my business work.
Now, I know I can call my aunts and give em my littles so I can bang out a project, or travel wherever I need to for a brand. It’s so freeing. Honestly, the best gift. Not having to worry about childcare. I know what a blessing it is. And I’m SO grateful.
Being down in FL has made the holidays feel a bit different though. Growing up in NYC I looked forward to going down to Florida to visit my gram and aunts for Christmas. We shop, a lot! We party for no reason. We have Xmas eve parties, Xmas party, NYE party, and then mini parties in between to just eat leftovers and hang out. Now, I’m down here with the extended family often so I feel like I have the holidays all year long.
We lost my brother on Christmas last year, and we lost my gram a few months ago, so this year, the holidays are going to feel a lot different. I wasn’t looking forward to them at all, but Rohan and Kaya are so excited about Christmas, that it’s forcing me to get in the spirit. I don’t know what future holiday seasons will bring, or the future at large, but I know having my crazy, funny, loving family with me means it’ll all work out in the end. I am never more than 5 minutes away from a motherly hug, (or tough love more likely, we’re Jamaican), a meal, and plenty of jokes and foolishness. My family is full of pure jokesters, and laughter truly helps us heal.
Happy holidays to you. I hope you and your family enjoy the season together!
I always wondered how you ended up in Florida! So amazing that you have a big, beautiful family that you can depend on! I’m not looking forward to the holidays either but they’re coming whether I’m ready or not. Hope you, the hubby, the littles and the rest of your gorgeous family have an amazing holiday season!
Hugs to you this season. Having family close is so helpful when the kids are little. Sounds like moving was the perfect “move” for you and your family.
And this is why I can’t leave where I’m at – FAMILY, all the fam is here, Jamaican AND Polish!
As you know, I have also suffered the loss of a few family members, so having everyone mostly together in one place helps us all to heal. I love your gorgeous family and hope to meet them in person one day too!
We used to have big dinners but that’s fallen by the wayside now as everyone is so deeply entrenched in their ‘own’ lives. Just as well though, we don’t get along anyway. We kinda suck.
I’m so happy to hear that your holidays will be filled with family this year but sorry about your loss. Our favorite family tradition is waking up on Christmas morning with new pjs.