We are Floridian

Little Milton arrived in Florida, roaring with fierce winds and surging waters, thinking he’d bring the state to its knees. But Florida isn’t just a place—it’s a state of mind. We’re a resilient breed, forged in the crucible of heat, hurricanes, and hardship, with a will that refuses to bend. You were here briefly, but we live here and we were ready. Thanks to our preparedness, our grit, and the strong systems we’ve built, we stood firm as you unleashed your fury.

Yes, you knocked us down for a moment, but we never stay down. When your winds died and your strength faded, we rose again stronger. Neighbors came together, hearts united, helping one another, rebuilding not just homes, but hope—one brick, one handshake, one act of kindness at a time. You may have scattered debris, but we’ll picked it up, piece by piece, and turn it into something bigger, better, and greater than before.

You might think you won. But in truth, you only tested us. And we passed, as we always do. We got back up, dusted ourselves off, rolled up our sleeves, and got to work, because this is what we do. We’ve seen your kind before, and we’ll see you again. But know this—we’re not just survivors, we’re warriors of the sun and sea, bound by a spirit that will never break. This is Florida, and we are Floridians. We don’t just endure—we rise, we rebuild, and we stand even taller than before. Always. Because we are Florida and we are Floridians.

Written By Scott Randy Gerber for The Tipping Point Tampa Bay ©2024 All Rights Reserved