Kayaking, family, dogs, Allen's Creek, and an important waterfront chapter of my life.
Carol was a major part of an important chapter in my Florida life. We shared years of kayaking, dogs, travel, meals, friends, and life beside the water. We eventually discovered that we were happiest living in somewhat different ways, but that does not erase the good years or the gratitude I still feel for the life we built together.
Kayaking has introduced me to many of the people who became important in my life, and that was true with Carol. We met while kayaking at Weedon Island. We talked, exchanged phone numbers, and quickly discovered that we enjoyed being together.
Our first date was at Honeymoon Island, and naturally our dogs came along. That was an appropriate beginning for us: outside, beside the water, sharing an experience rather than simply sitting across from one another indoors.
The relationship developed very quickly. Before long, we were spending nearly every day together, and within a relatively short time we were married.
Carol and Tim sharing one of countless relaxed meals out together.
Photo locationA kayaking, Weedon Island, Honeymoon Island, or early photograph of Carol and Tim would work well here.
Building a life together
For the next several years, Carol and I shared the routines and adventures that turn a relationship into a life. There were dogs, paddling trips, meals, friends, travel, and the countless ordinary days that often become more meaningful in memory than the major events.
Carol had an enormous heart. She was kind, generous with her time, and naturally inclined to help and care for other people. At the time, I hoped we would remain together for the rest of our lives.
Carol with a baby in her arms, showing the warmth and tenderness that came so naturally to her.A loving family moment with Lucy that reflects Carol's deep affection for children and family.
Some chapters do not last forever, but they can still be real, generous, and deeply important.
Photo locationThe Allen's Creek house, dock, boat, garden, dogs, canoe, or a sunset photograph would fit here.
Allen's Creek
One of the most important things Carol and I did together was create our waterfront home on Allen's Creek. We had been driving home from Honeymoon Island when we noticed an open-house sign advertising a waterfront property. That chance sighting helped redirect our lives.
We eventually sold our separate homes and made the Allen's Creek house our shared home. It had the things I had always been drawn toward: water just outside the door, a dock, a boat, a canoe, native plantings, wildlife, and the ability to begin or end the day beside the creek.
We lived there for about four years. The house became far more than a property. It was a complete waterfront way of life and one of the most memorable homes I have ever had.
Carol and the dogs enjoying a peaceful evening aboard the boat as sunset settled over the creek.A happy day beneath a great banyan tree with Jodi and Jenny—one of the many gatherings woven into those years.
Belize and diving together
Carol was also my companion on one of my most memorable diving adventures. We spent about two weeks in Belize, with roughly five days devoted to diving.
The dives became successively deeper and more impressive, and the walls were especially memorable. Belize remains very high on my list of places I would gladly visit again. That trip belongs both in my scuba story and in the story of the years Carol and I shared.
Carol raising a toast from the water—an image that captures her playful side and our many shared adventures.
Photo locationA Belize diving photograph, boat photograph, tropical shoreline, or picture of Carol from the trip would work here.
Different ways of living
There were challenges from early in the relationship, and over time our differences became clearer. Carol was often content indoors, perhaps relaxing with a martini or spending time in her art studio. I was almost always being pulled outside—to paddle, hike, explore, work around the water, or simply sit beside the creek and watch the day end.
Neither way of living was wrong. They were simply different, and those differences mattered more as the years passed. Sometimes two caring people can build a meaningful life together and still eventually recognize that they are not headed toward the same future.
Carol paddling with her dog Olivia aboard—one of the happiest and most natural ways we spent time together.
Looking back with gratitude
I remember Carol with respect and appreciation. She was part of years filled with love, companionship, travel, kayaking, waterfront living, and many people and places that remain important to me.
The relationship did not become the lifelong partnership I once imagined, but it helped shape who I became and what I understood about myself. It clarified how essential the outdoors, movement, adventure, and life beside the water are to my happiness.
That chapter eventually ended, and another began. I can recognize the joy of the life I have now without diminishing the meaning of what came before it. Carol will always be connected to Allen's Creek, Belize, our dogs, and a substantial chapter of my Florida years.
