We got home to Nashville last night, and I already want to be back in Puerto Rico with the sun, the ocean, and my friends 
The amazing thing about building relationships primarily "online" is that (if done right) you share your deepest feelings and thoughts because you spend the time to really think them through. You can be completely vulnerable because the computer screen and distance subconsciously protects you in ways which are harder in-person. Having spent almost two years now having many deep, meaningful conversations with Sean and Cindy here on Steemit (and before that on Facebook and email), I've come to love and respect them so much.
I wanted to a write this post thanking them for their generous friendship. Almost 4 years ago, Sean and I were working together on a non-profit and got to know each other through that process. We all met in person for the first time (Sean, myself, Cindy, and my wife 
Hey man, I'm moving to Puerto Rico on Jan 1. For real! You should join me.
When I read what Sean typed, I knew he was right.
We were all set to visit in November of last year, but hurricane Maria changed all that. Instead we came in March for two weeks and loved it! While we were there, Sean and Cindy treated us to two amazing dinners while their daughter 
The first night we enjoyed a bottle of wine together as we visited the property they are building out.
The sunset view from their place is absolutely amazing:
click to viewAfter that we walked to a local "speak-easy" style place and enjoyed some of the best food I've ever had (along with another couple bottles of wine).
The second night we had another amazing meal which was absolutely fantastic. It was at a farm-to-table restaurant that was packed (our first choice was fully reserved and our second choice only had room at the bar, which we gladly accepted).
Their generosity continued to warm my heart as they also let us borrow their brand new, immaculate Range Rover to visit Arecibo.
In addition, they coordinated with their friend James to get us day passes at a resort area called Dorado which we enjoyed completely.
We got to use golf carts for the day (which the kids loved).
And there was a sweet water park area with two slides and a lazy river.
In order to get us all there, I rented the only car available to fit our family and Sean's family which turned out to be a 15 passenger van! There was quite a bit of drama picking it up (it took multiple hours for reasons I won't even bother going into) and on top of that, after Corinne dropped me off at the rental car place and returned the Kings' Range Rover, it got dented while she parked it. :( Corinne was devastated. Sean and Cindy took it in stride and said not to worry about it.
They are the type of friends I'm so deeply grateful to have in my life. My attempts to get a repair company on the phone Monday morning failed, possibly due to Easter week. I hope to get it all taken care of so they don't have to worry about it. Funny how little things like that can seem like such a big deal at the time, but ultimately just bring you closer as you work it out.
Our last day in Puerto Rico was spent touring some amazing properties with a real estate agent Sean and Cindy connected us with, Ricardo Rodriguez. He was fantastic and showed us some amazing properties. I loved the view from the elevated deck on this one, and the facilities the neighborhood had, including a pool and recreational center.
If we do decide to move to Puerto Rico (and I'm seriously considering it), I don't know if we'll be able to afford a house as nice as that, but wow, was it amazing to consider. Once again, Sean and Cindy's daughter Clara watched our kids most of the day so we could fully enjoy our time with the realtor without them melting down. We're so grateful to her!
We ended the day back at the King's place they are renting while they renovate their dream home. We enjoyed their view, some beer, wine, cheese, and a beautiful sunset. We got one last meal together before we left the next morning to return home.
Sean, Cindy, Clara and Nico (their beautiful dog): Thank you for your love, generosity, and friendship. We are truly grateful to have you in our lives and hope to be back soon to the island paradise you now call home.
For more on our family trip to Puerto Rico see:
- Getting Dinner with the Family at Tasca El Pescador in La Placita, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Why I Love Surfers: They Understand Abundance
- The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico
- Wednesday at the Beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Tuesday in Old San Juan and Castillo San Cristobal
- Watching Kitesurfing Right Outside My Window
- Laryngitis: Parenting Without Talking is Hard.
- Brock Pierce discussing Puerto Rico and plans to build the future in the present
- Our First Day in Puerto Rico!
