We didn’t know what to expect when we moved here. We were attracted to the different styles and colors of the homes in Laureate Park, and we loved the floor plan of the model home we chose. There were rumors about many exciting things coming to the area and we liked the schools that our daughter would be assigned to. What we didn’t expect about Lake Nona was how many amazing people we’d meet and how much it would change our lives. During this 2017 holiday season, we find ourselves often reflecting on the connections made in the 5 short years we’ve lived here.
Friends: This is a big one. We’ve made so many friendships that will last a lifetime, it’s a little hard to believe. In the early days, we’d plan neighborhood parties on Facebook because there was nothing around for miles. It was a great way to connect with people in the neighborhood and help pave the way to deeper and more meaningful friendships. The many outdoor neighborhood events (Live & Local, Food Trucks at the YMCA, 4th of July Block Party, etc.) are a great way to get out and bump into people you’d never meet but might have many things in common with. In an age where everyone is hyperconnected via social media to the point that it almost causes us to be disconnected, there’s a lot to be said for meeting friends face to face in the real world.
Family: While none of our immediate family live in Lake Nona, they visit all the time! We love taking them out to see what new things have popped up since they last visited. Lake Nona is shaping up to be a beautiful place, and we love getting the chance to show it off! We’re also working on convincing some of our family to take the plunge and move to Lake Nona permanently; fingers crossed that they’ll come to their senses and make the move!
Business: We never expected to drastically change the trajectory of my business life. Since moving here, nearly all things that we were working on that weren’t based locally have been put on hold or scrapped. With so much growth, there’s a tremendous amount of potential and excitement right here in our back yard. Connecting with other business people at various events put on by the Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce and East Orlando Chamber of Commerce has been incredibly rewarding. We suppose that working here is just as exciting as living here.
The Future: The past two months we have seen some big announcements about things coming to Lake Nona (in particular the Nona Adventure Park and the Lake Nona Resort). We expect that things will only heat up from here – we love living in a place that has so many exciting stories to tell. Who can say what tomorrow will bring?
From our family to yours, Happy Holidays and have a safe and Happy New Year. We’ll see you in 2018!
Love, Rhys & Jenny Lynn
