Dear Jose,
You would be so proud of all the people that joined forces on your behalf so that someone “like me” could experience the trip of a lifetime.
When I arrived at this amazing resort, I didn’t just have my own bed – I had my own house! And in that grand house it was stuffed full of goodies like Santa had made a Xmas stop!!!
– Shirts, hats, shorts, pants, sweats and , yes, even Costa shades. For just me, no, the entire family!!
We met your daughter that night and had a chance to get to know each other over a nice meal.
Even though you have only been gone 7 months, I think it is incredibly brave to take on such a HUGE task – giving someone like me a trip of a lifetime. Together, Mike and Krissy, met me at Key West. That day was like a party on the water with paddle boards, snorkeling and great company!
When I went to bed that night, I could barely sleep thinking about what was going to happen in the next 3 days! Fishing all day with my own Captain, on a 37 foot boat that was pimped out with 3 – 300hp Yamaha four strokes!!! PIMP THAT! Everybodies only job was to have fun and put me on the fish.
Captain Greg even arranged, one morning before heading out, to have Jimmy Johnson at Plantation Marina to meet me and even sign a football for me. I felt like a rock star. They didn’t stop there because on another day, while fishing, we stopped by Wyland’s studio where I had a chance to meet him and he even gave me his book signed “To Tyler”, a rare occurrence I hear.
I will never forget all the fish I watched, in the clear blue water, take my bait, or the what it feels like to be talked through a 45 minute battle for a sailfish, never forgetting to release the catch as you did thousands of times on Spanish Fly.
What was most memorable was the feeling of everyone rooting for me to bring in “The Big One” (all while having Mike’s camera 2 inches from my face : )
I missed you, Jose, but having this experience with all your loved ones made it so special. Because of their love for you I had my wish granted, I know how proud you must be!
Love, Ty
How cool was that!!!!! I have watched Jose’s show for many years and would have loved to fish with him. Although I never met him , I will miss him!!!!