Memories in the Making: Preparing to Move to Florida

Introduction 

Hi friends! As most of you know, I’m just a month away from my big move down south for the year. I’ve gratefully accepted my second internship with the Walt Disney Company, and this time, I’m honoured to take on the new title of Canadian representative. This position is not easy to earn, especially since I’m still completing my studies and will be the youngest in the group. But in my family, we don’t miss out when opportunity knocks. I'm filled with anticipation and excitement for this new chapter in my life, and I can't wait to share it with all of you.

This summer, I’ve been feeling a whirlwind of emotions, and I tend to pick up on the energy around me. My Grandpa (Sneaky Snake) and my Nonni were two extraordinary people I lost suddenly within a year when I was just five. It was a tough age to experience loss, as it’s the time when memories start to stick. But while I remember the family arguments, the hospital visits, and attending two funerals as the only grandchild, the happy memories shine through the dark. Those memories are deeply rooted in Florida, which is why the place holds such a strong emotional pull on me. And hey, it seems like Florida can’t get enough of me. A three-month visa wasn’t enough, haha!

Florida: A Place of Memories

It all started when I was a baby; my grandpa owned a condo on Fort Myers Beach, where most of my fondest memories were made with him. One of my earliest memories is of us winning the sand sculpture competition with our creation, “Emvicous,” a sea monster that wasn’t necessarily the best. Still, we won anyway because my family signed up for the kids' competition. Even though I was just a baby, I was the only kid present! I’m so grateful my mom, like most parents from my generation, had a VCR and recorded those moments. It’s such a gift to have those tapes, to laugh and still feel his presence.

It’s incredible how much nostalgia can bring back. I can still remember the salt air, the feeling of sandy feet walking from the beach back to our condo, and the time my Nonni spent hours searching the ocean for my favourite Minnie Mouse ring. I never got that ring back, but my mom asked a friend to bring another one back from Disney, and I made sure to wear it to both of my interviews with Disney. My last trip with both of my grandparents is my most cherished memory. When I first met my therapist, she asked me what the best day of my life was, and the first thing that came to mind was my time spent with my grandparents in Florida. When I asked her what those questions helped with, she said that my answer revealed that family is my priority, and that is true. My family has built a strong foundation for me to grow on, and I’m forever grateful for that. Even though my grandparents are no longer here, 15 years later, they still drive me to reach my goals, and I am deeply grateful for their influence on my life and career.

Now, my mom is in Florida, visiting all our favourite spots. Unfortunately, the hurricane last year took down many of them, but they are slowly reopening. My favourites were The Mucky Duck, The Bubble Room, and The Lazy Flamingo. I also loved a good round of animal-themed mini golf, and there was nothing better than driving with the top down, except when I lost my pink bucket hat and made my mom pull over on the side of the highway to retrieve it! As I get ready to move down to Florida, I can’t help but feel like I’m coming full circle.

The Presence of Loved Ones

At age 5, saying goodbye to two of the most influential people in my life was hard. That year, I took a memorable trip with both of them—one that I will cherish forever and hope to tell my kids about one day. My grandparents were divorced; this was my grandpa’s second marriage, so Nonni was my step-grandma, but she felt like blood. My mom and Nonni had a very close relationship, as Nonni was there for most of my mom’s upbringing. Nonni was Italian, so it was nice to have some Italian blood on this side of the family. During our last trip together, they were dealing with a messy divorce. I will never forget the crossover at the airport, waving goodbye to my grandpa and then walking over to the arrival gate to pick up Nonni. Even though my family had so much bitterness, the love overpowered it.

Both of my grandparents were tough cookies: my grandpa was a judge, and Nonni was a lawyer. They were both young and fit, which made it even harder to believe they were gone. It’s crazy to think that Nonni was my mom’s age when she lost her battle with cancer. My grandpa’s cancer was very sudden; he was diagnosed shortly after that trip we had. Florida was the last time I saw them both, as I remember them, my Sneaky Snake and my Nonni. My grandpa was a jokester who loved to scare me, and Nonni loved taking me shopping and on breakfast dates. One of my favourite memories is when Nonni asked for a cappuccino at the princess breakfast in the castle, and the waiter returned and said, “This is just your average castle, ma'am.”

Signs and Symbolism

Splash Mountain is a ride that holds special memories for me, and I’m excited to go on the newly renovated version, now themed after “The Princess and the Frog.” When I returned to Disney at 12, seven years after my trip with Nonni, I could remember that trip as if no time had passed, and I understood why Walt Disney created this place. I will forever cherish the picture from that ride. I was scared, but I put my arms up, and Nonni’s wig flew off, so she had to rock a Minnie ball cap for the rest of the trip. Every time my mom and I return, we laugh about these memories. 

I haven’t returned to Fort Myers since, and I think that will be hard. I had a close connection to my grandpa, and I don’t know how to explain it because I only knew him for five short years. My mom shares her memories with him, and I feel like I’m in the room. I even followed in his footsteps by going to of, though weirdly, I think he was trying to tell me to “get out of there.” He lived in the same residence building as me, which is where most of my trauma occurred. My sign from him is a snake. I don’t know how it started, but his name to me has always been Sneaky Snake, and whenever I see a snake, I know it’s him.

I’ll never forget my mom telling me that she talked to Sneaky Snake about feeling bad that he wouldn’t see me the first time at Disney because he took my mom all those times when they went to Florida together. She remembers him saying, “I have all the time in the world; Diane (Nonni) doesn’t.” Unfortunately, he passed away six months before her, so he never got to take me, but I always felt his presence around me. His favourite ride was the Carousel of Progress, so I always visit it. As I prepare for this move, I can’t help but feel that they are guiding me every step of the way.

Looking Forward to New Beginnings

Packing up and moving always brings a mix of emotions. There’s the excitement of starting something new and the weight of leaving behind familiar places and faces. As I prepare to move to Florida, it feels like a reunion with my past, filled with cherished memories of my grandparents and the special moments we shared. At the same time, it’s a step into my future, where I create new memories and experiences in a place that has always felt like home.

This transition is bittersweet. I’m thrilled to be returning to a place that holds so much meaning for me, but I’m also nostalgic for the times that have passed. Yet, I find comfort in knowing that the memories of my grandpa and Nonni will be with me, guiding me as I embark on this new adventure. They’ve always been my driving force, and their presence will continue to inspire me as I take on this next chapter.

I’m filled with hope and excitement as I look forward to this move. I’m eager to continue my family's traditions, and I’m honoured to be part of the magic as a Cast Member at Disney. Being able to make magical memories for guests is something I cherish deeply because, without us, the magic simply can’t happen. I’m ready to embrace both the past and the future, carrying the love and lessons of my grandparents with me as I start this new adventure in Florida.