And, it arrives. That season of spring fever, the first hints of warm weather, the smell of the salt, and the sound of the waves. The age old ritual of hitting the road from near and far and heading to the closest beach and, in some cases the closest bar, to shake of winter and relax before the homestretch to summer. For the next couple of months teachers and students alike will be counting the days until it’s their turn.

Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?

Well. If you’re in the service industry along the coast it means you are about to be busier than you have been in months and you’re probably not ready. You think you are – but you’re not. I’ve said for years that anyone in the vacation industry needs a conditioning regiment in the months leading up to spring break just to be physically prepared for the onslaught that’s coming.

Tonight, Friday, March 10, 2017 – for the first time in 10 YEARS – I’m not dreading the first Saturday morning in March. I don’t have a headache. I’m not going to be up working late. I’m not going to have to hit the ground running in the morning wondering if I’m going to be able to drink an entire cup of coffee before the first grumpy guest calls the office. I don’t have to fight traffic. I don’t have to wait to pay for gas so someone from Wisconsin can purchase a lottery ticket. And, I don’t have to listen to the screams from the rides at the water park just outside my door. In fact, I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do.

I get to sleep in tomorrow. I get to have a weekend.

I’m 3 days into a new job in a new industry leading to a new career, God willing, and from everything I can see so far I’m in good place with happy people with an organization that knows how to treat people and take care of their employees. This is a new experience and I’m looking forward to taking it one day at a time.

To my friends still in the industry – God bless you and hold tight. To friends that are heading to the beaches of anywhere – be kind to the people working hard to make it a happy week for you. Be safe. Have fun.

Happy Spring Break, everyone. I’m blissfully grateful you are going on without me.