In early January, I traded the Cleveland cold for a quick escape to South Florida for a short work trip — and honestly, the timing couldn’t have been better. I managed to sneak in just enough time to meet up with Ron and Jean for one night to celebrate Jean’s birthday, and it turned into the perfect little kickoff to the trip.
They spend their winters snowbirding in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (which, if you’ve never been, is such a charming, laid-back beach town), so I happily bunked up with them for the night. There’s just something about stepping into their Florida routine — slower mornings, salty air, and that easy coastal vibe — that instantly makes you feel like you’re on vacation, even if work is technically on the schedule.
We kept things fun and simple, exactly how a birthday celebration should be. Think sunshine, a little beach time, great conversation, and of course, a proper birthday toast for Jean. It was one of those nights that felt effortless — the kind where you’re laughing, catching up, and wondering why you don’t do this more often.
Not a bad way at all to ease into a work trip ☀️
The next morning, it was time to shift gears from beachy birthday vibes into full-on work mode — and in true fashion, this “work day” was anything but ordinary.
I made the drive up to Palm Beach to meet up with my colleague as we kicked off a full day of scouting for our upcoming Board meeting. If you’ve ever been to Palm Beach, you know… this is not your typical site visit situation. Think palm-lined streets, perfectly manicured hedges, and a level of elegance that makes everything feel just a little more elevated.
We spent the day hopping between locations, getting a true feel for what would create the right experience. One of our standout stops was the Palm Beach Croquet Club — equal parts classic, charming, and just the right amount of Palm Beach sophistication (but not the right fit for our event 😛) From there, we toured a couple of absolutely stunning (and yes, very bougie) private homes that felt straight out of a movie. Every space had its own personality, and we were constantly thinking through how each setting could come to life for our group.
And of course… no proper site visit is complete without tasting a lot of food. We sampled menus, talked through presentation, and paid close attention to all the little details that truly make or break an event. It’s one thing to find a beautiful space — it’s another to create an experience that feels seamless, thoughtful, and memorable from start to finish.
By the end of the day, we had a strong vision coming together and made some key decisions that will help shape what’s going to be a really special Board meeting.
More to come on this in March…
On my last day, I was determined to soak up every last minute of sunshine before trading it in for snowy Cleveland — and it did not disappoint.
Ron, Jean, and I spent the day exactly how a proper Florida send-off should look: toes in the sand, ocean breeze, and absolutely no rush to be anywhere. The weather was perfect — that kind of effortless, warm-but-not-too-hot beach day where you can truly relax and just be. We lingered a little longer, laughed a little more, and fully embraced that laid-back Lauderdale-by-the-Sea rhythm one last time.
Of course, we couldn’t end the trip without a stop at Billy Jack’s. There’s something about sitting outside after a beach day, still a little sun-kissed, digging into a classic burger or hot dog that feels so perfectly simple and satisfying. No frills, just really good food and even better company.
It was the ideal ending to a quick trip that somehow managed to balance work and a little slice of vacation — and I definitely wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to the sunshine ☀️
The next morning, we soaked up our final few hours together the best way we know how — with one last cheers and an indulgent, over-the-top brunch that felt very on-brand for this trip. Think “just one more bite” moments, and absolutely no regrets about ordering everything that sounded good.
We lingered at the table a little longer than necessary (as you do), stretching out those last moments before reality — and my flight — started creeping back in. It was the kind of send-off that didn’t feel rushed or heavy, just full, happy, and already looking ahead.
And for once, no sad goodbyes… because this wasn’t really goodbye. I’d be back in just five weeks, which made it all feel a little easier — more like a “see you soon” than anything else ✈️☀️
In mid-February, I traded the Midwest winter (again) for a quick solo flight down to St. Petersburg to meet up with Kevin and Lisa — this time to celebrate Lisa’s birthday 🎉
But the timing made it even more special… the day I arrived also happened to be Lisa’s mom’s 80th birthday. So instead of easing into the trip, I jumped right into family mode and headed straight to Sarasota to join the celebration.
Lisa’s mom has a thing for flamingos, so of course I had to come prepared. I brought a little flamingo flair straight from Bonaire — which felt very fitting — and it was a hit.
The night was filled with that warm, celebratory energy you only get when family is all together. Not a bad way at all to start a birthday weekend ☀️🦩
The next few days were exactly what you hope for on a trip like this — soaking up everything St. Petersburg has to offer, one great meal (and cocktail) at a time.
We hopped from place to place, fully leaning into all of Lisa’s favorite spots — and honestly, anything that looked even remotely worth trying (which, in this town, is basically everything). One great meal rolled into the next, lunches stretched into cocktails, and somehow it was always “just one more stop.”
And then…one of the most unexpected moments — Lisa asked a street performer to write poem for us 💗
St. Pete really is such a gem — laid-back, vibrant, and full of personality. I couldn’t be happier that Kevin and Lisa have found such a warm, happy place to call home… and even happier that it gives us the perfect excuse to come visit ☀️
After a few fun-filled days on Florida’s west coast, it was time to shift back into work mode — but not without one more little silver lining.
I hopped over to the east coast to kick off the work portion of the trip, and lucky for me, Ron and Jean were still in full snowbird mode. So I got to settle back into their place for a few days — which, at this point, was starting to feel like my own little Florida home base. It’s the best of both worlds… working during the day, but wrapped in that easy, coastal lifestyle that just makes everything feel lighter.
From there, I made my way north, working my way through West Palm Beach, up to Stuart, and eventually to Vero Beach — each stop bringing a slightly different vibe, but all with that same sunshine-filled backdrop. There’s something about being on the road in Florida, windows down, palm trees lining the drive, that makes even the busiest days feel just a little more enjoyable.
And truly… it’s amazing what just a few hours of sunshine can do. Instant mood shift. Big smiles. A full reset. 😁
I didn’t include many work photos from this part of the trip — mostly because, let’s be honest, they’re just not quite as fun as beach sunsets and dinners out. But behind the scenes, this is actually a really important and impactful week for us.
With five Cleveland Clinic hospitals across Southeast Florida — and another (possibly) on the way in West Palm Beach — this has become an annual trip with our CEO and executive leadership team. It’s a full, thoughtfully planned week where we visit each hospital, spend time on the units, connect with caregivers, and host town halls. There’s a real focus on being present, listening, and staying connected to the teams who are delivering care every day.
Each stop has its own rhythm — from structured business meetings to walking the floors and hearing directly from staff. Those conversations are always the highlight. You get such a strong sense of the culture, the pride, and the commitment across the organization.
That said… it’s a full week. Lots of prep leading into it, early mornings, tightly packed schedules, and quite a bit of driving as we move from location to location. It’s equal parts energizing and exhausting — but also incredibly meaningful work.
And while it may not make for the most exciting photos, it’s definitely one of the most important parts of the trip.
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