Wife Wants to Escape the Florida Heat
‘It has become unbearable to me’
A wife is desperate to escape the Florida heat, but her husband of 51 years seems quite content. Advice columnist Eric Thomas weighs in.
Dear Eric:
I have been in central Florida for more than 26 years, and it has become unbearable to me. There’s the brutal heat; the skin destroying UV-rays of that miserable, scorching, eye-blinding sun; the constant allergy/sinusitis issues that NEVER let up; the smothering humidity. The sun is here all year.
If you dare to venture out for a walk during the day, you have to wear long sleeves, long pants, a big, brimmed sunhat, a face full of sunscreen and carry a sun umbrella. This is paradise?
It’s impossible to talk about it to my husband of 51 years; he is always cold, puts the A/C at 80 degrees in the house, and walks around with a sweatshirt or flannel shirt on.
I have a 12-year-old rescue dog, a big black German Shepherd. I have limited income and want to move much further north, but I don’t want to jeopardize the stable home I can give her here.
I am at the point that I dread waking up every morning only to see that intense Florida sun that keeps me in the house most of the day. I could leave my husband, but I CANNOT leave this vulnerable, loyal, loving creature that is by my side 24/7.
Because of my limited income, it would be rough finding a place that is safe and secure for me and my dog.
I’m basically a very friendly, outgoing person, and living here is like being under house arrest. What should I do to preserve my health and sanity until such time that I can get a car and drive out of this place?
– Too Hot
Dear Hot:
While you technically can’t outrun the sun – it does have a way of finding us – and the impacts of climate change are being felt the world over, it may help to attack this issue in pieces.
First, some immediate relief: is there a friend or relative who lives in a cooler place and would let you and your dog visit for a week or more? As fall progresses, this might be the perfect time to get away for a bit to clear your head. This wouldn’t require you to leave your home or your marriage but could turn the heat down on the problem for a moment.
Consider talking to your husband about whether he actually likes Florida or just likes warm weather. If it’s the latter, there might be other places that suit you both better.
Lastly, if you do decide you need to make a permanent move, look seriously at your finances and perhaps enlist friends or relatives to help you find a suitable place to live in a cooler climate. Without knowing what your income is or what your living situation is in Florida, I can’t say for sure that there are similar places in other parts of the country for you and your dog, but it’s true that people of all income levels afford lives with pets in every state. So, it may take some creative thinking, but it is possible to find a new home, if you need to.
R. Eric Thomas (he/him) is a national bestselling author, playwright, and screenwriter. His accomplishments include “Eric Reads the News,” a daily humor column covering pop culture and politics, serving as the interim Prudie for the advice column “Dear Prudence,” and “Congratulations, The Best Is Over.”
Send questions to eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.
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