Eletia (Es-ee-ta)
Although the trip request came from "Jason", it was a young lady who first entered my Hyundai Sonata. As we waited for her boyfriend we enjoyed a fun and friendly conversation.
The woman was born in Naples, FL but spent her early years in Las Vegas. When she eventually came back to Southwest Florida she volunteered for a time as a youth counselor at First Assembly of God in Fort Myers. This became a common thread as I came to Fort Myers in 1984 taking a teaching position at Fort Myers Christian School (a ministry of First Assembly).
I found it very interesting that she grew up in the Catholic Church, volunteered at an Assembly of God church, but then attended Brigham Young University (A Morman Institution). She explained that she really wanted to get a bigger perspective of the world and other people. That's pretty cool!
It wasn't until Jason had arrived and we were enroute to their destination that I asked about her name. I had never heard the name "Eletia" before, and I was very surprised when she pronounced it..."Es-ee-ta". This may stem from her Costa Rican/Italian heritage. From what I could find, her name was derived from a similiar name that means "loyal".
After graduating from BYU with a degree in Agriculture, Eletia eventually moved back to Florida. She is the mother of two children and has a goal of one day becoming a game warden!
I enjoyed a joyful and exciting Uber trip with Eletia and Jason!
I'm so glad to have met you, and to be able to share your story!