In 2024 Fran and David became recent transplants to Panama City Beach. Both were adjusting to life at the beach, settling into their homes in Margaritaville and not knowing what might come next.

Fran had left her home in Sacramento, after retiring from her job with the State of California, and moved into her new house in February 2024. David retired from his job with the Department of Army and left his native Huntsville, Alabama, occupying his house in April 2024. Both were attracted to the white sand beaches and beautiful waters of Panama City Beach and the promise of a fun, carefree lifestyle at Latitude Margaritaville.

Both single and ready to mingle, each had joined the community's Singles of Latitude Organization (SOLO). SOLO's purpose is to provide opportunities for singles in the community to meet each other. One of the ways SOLO did this was to hold monthly happy hours at the Latitude Margaritaville Bar and Chill.

It was the night of May 30, 2024, when Fran with two single neighbors, and David, each attended the SOLO happy hour. The event was well attended, but Fran noticed something peculiar - the men were on one side of the bar and the women on the other. Kind of like a junior high school dance!

Fran, not one known for shyness, assessed the situation, eyed David at the end of the bar and announced to her two friends, "I'm going to go talk to that man."

Fran approached David, noticed an empty chair next to him, and asked, "Is this seat taken?" David wisely said, "no," and being the Southern gentleman that he is, pulled out the chair for Fran to sit down. (Photo evidence of that first meeting below!)

Over the next months, we found we shared similar values, and enjoyed many meals, music events, outings, walks, and weekends away. Our first real date - outside the Margaritaville gates - was dinner at Runaway Island, which had some bearing on why we chose it as our wedding venue. As our relationship grew, our conversations turned to "presuming" about our future life together.

During a Caribbean cruise somewhere off the coast of the Dominican Republic, David surprised Fran on Christmas Eve by presenting a ring and asking her to marry him. Without hesitation, she said yes! This is where David breathed a sigh of relief (It may not have been such a lovely cruise if she hadn't!)

After we merge households, and get married, our plans are wasting away in Margaritaville and traveling often!

Yes, it's a strange situation, a wild occupation

Livin' my life like a song - JB