A familiar view, a changing landmark and the kind of strength that shapes how we see it.
Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, we all found our way to a certain place at some point: the top level of the parking garage at The Galleria, which we called “Top of the World.” It wasn’t planned. You just ended up there, sitting with friends, talking about nothing and everything, looking out over the skyline and feeling like the whole future was right in front of you.
Back then, the city felt smaller. The view was simpler. But the feeling was big. It was possibility, plain and simple.
As we’ve shared, the Galleria is entering a new chapter, and with that comes a mix of emotions. Places like that don’t just exist as buildings. They hold memories. They mark time. They remind you of who you were in those moments. And while change is part of growth, it’s no less meaningful to pause and take it in.
What stands out to me now is how much of that perspective came from the people who shaped us along the way.
For me, that starts with my dad. He’s strong and determined, the kind of person who doesn’t wait around for things to happen. He goes after them and figures it out. And whether he realized it or not, he showed me how to do the same, to get out there, to make the most of every situation and to keep moving forward no matter what’s in front of you.
It wasn’t about long conversations or big speeches: it was about example. Watching how he handled life, how he showed up and how he pushed through. That kind of influence stays with you.
Now, when I think back to standing at “Top of the World” and looking out over the city, I see it differently. It wasn’t just about the view. It was about possibilities. And that mindset, that drive to keep going, to build something, to not settle, came from him.
June has a way of bringing that into focus. Father’s Day isn’t about one moment. It’s about years of influence, the kind that shapes who you are long before you realize it.
As Fort Lauderdale continues to evolve, as familiar places shift and new ones rise, what remains are the lessons and the people behind them.
The view may change, but the mindset stays with you. And that’s something worth recognizing