Our Big Move: From Houston to Jacksonville
Life loves to throw curveballs that turn into unforgettable adventures. After our serendipitous Houston meet-cute (catch up on that here), Nick and I faced a whirlwind of change in 2014—my graduation from the University of Houston, Nick’s unexpected move to Florida, and our bold decision to start a life together across state lines. This is the story of how we embraced love, long-distance, and a new chapter in Jacksonville, laying the foundation for The Horvath Family. Welcome to our Houston and Florida family lifestyle blog!
The Setup: A Season of Change
It was 2014, and Houston was alive with possibility. I was wrapping up my degree at the University of Houston, balancing late-night study sessions with part-time work. Nick, my partner-in-crime, was in between jobs after the dream role he moved to Texas for fell through. We’d been inseparable since our towed-car night, exploring Houston’s gems like the Menil Collection and devouring tacos at Torchy’s. But life had other plans.
Just as I tossed my graduation cap into the air, Nick’s journey took a sharp turn. With his job gone, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to regroup with his parents. It was a bittersweet moment—our Houston bubble felt fragile. Then, during a visit to see Nick, I landed a job on the spot at the luxurious Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. The opportunity was thrilling but daunting. Moving meant leaving my Houston roots, my family, and those sacred Whataburger runs. Nick, with his signature grin, didn’t hesitate: “Let’s do this.” So, we took the plunge to build a life together in Florida.
Fun Fact #1: I graduated from the University of Houston, cheering for the Cougars with all my heart!
Fun Fact #2: Nick’s knack for rolling with change stems from his global upbringing—Saudi Arabia, Dubai, New York, and more.
The Long-Distance Hustle
Before we could fully relocate, we tackled a few months of long-distance love. I dove into my new role at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, settling into Jacksonville’s rhythm of beach sunsets and hospitality hustle, while Nick secured a job and bought his first condo. Our days were a whirlwind of FaceTime calls, late-night texts, and fleeting weekend visits. I’d fly back to Houston for birthdays, holidays and times I just felt homesick. Nick would drive to Florida for impromptu beach days at Ponte Vedra.
One unforgettable weekend, Nick surprised me with a road trip to St. Augustine. We wandered its historic cobblestone streets, stuffed ourselves with empanadas, and dreamed about our future under the stars. Long-distance was tough—missed calls, the ache of distance, and the occasional time zone mix-up—but it strengthened us. We cherished small moments, like sharing playlists for the I-10 drive or laughing over Nick’s disastrous attempts at Tex-Mex cooking from afar.
The Big Move: Florida, Here We Come!
By late 2014, Nick landed a job in Jacksonville, and we made it official: we moved in together in a cozy condo near the St. Johns River. Packing up my Houston life was bittersweet—saying goodbye to Buffalo Bayou hikes and El Tiempo tacos stung—but Florida welcomed us with open arms. Our first night in the condo, we ordered pizza, sat on the floor (furniture delivery was still a week out), and toasted to new beginnings. It felt like the start of something extraordinary.
Jacksonville opened up new adventures: strolling the Riverside Arts Market, kayaking the Intracoastal Waterway, and falling in love with fresh seafood at Safe Harbor Seafood Market. We blended our Houston roots with Florida’s laid-back vibe, building a life that’s now home to our three kids—Mason, Max, and Maria—and our unique split-state family journey between Texas and Florida.
Lessons from the Leap
This move taught us to embrace the unknown. From long-distance challenges to a new city, we learned that the best plans often come from life’s surprises. Now, as parents, we carry that adventurous spirit into raising our kids, whether it’s planning Houston zoo trips or Jacksonville beach days. This blog is our space to share those moments, from wild adventures to the beautiful chaos of family life.
What’s a big leap you’ve taken for love or family? Drop your story in the comments!
XOXO,
Krystin
