Home Away From Home

I believe life is marked by the relationships one cultivates. The people we surround ourselves with are so important in shaping the life we live and influence how rich a life can be. Some people come into your life for only a short moment (or in some cases, when you look back and see the toxicity with open eyes, maybe it was for too long a moment), though they all serve a purpose. There are the few individuals, however, that are always there and standing by you through your ups and your downs. Months can go by without seeing one another, but when you get together it's like no time has passed. You slip into that familiar and comfortable exchange and you realize, you are home.




J Train (not my nickname for her, but I'm not sure she would appreciate me revealing on the wide world web any of the hundreds of names I've called her along the way) and I met when I was eighteen and over 300 miles away from home - our freshman year of college. We have lived together (both in and after college), as well as traveled everywhere from Dewey Beach to spring breaks in Italy to backpacking around South America. We have spent numerous joyous occasions together - New Years Eves, birthdays, and weddings. As well as many of the more challenging moments of life: break ups, deaths, cross country moves to name a few.

It's really difficult for me to put into words how much she means to me and how fortunate I feel to have our friendship. For everything we've been through together, for the support she provides me on a daily basis and for everything I know we'll share in the years to come - all of that wrapped up is why I asked her to stand up next to me, and for me, as my Matron of Honor when Marrvelous and I exchange our vows in front of our family and friends.

I'm headed out to visit J Train this week for a long, yet too short, weekend in sunny San Diego. Since J moved to San Diego to set up shop with her fantastic hubby, I've managed an annual and sometimes lucky enough to make it biannual west coast trip. The last time I saw J, she was just about 7 and 1/2 months preggers. Marrvelous and I flew out to sunny SoCal so that two of the most important people in my life could meet and discuss how amazing I am :) As well as investigate potential future neighborhoods for Marrvelous and me (San Diego is a home away from home as well, but I'll leave that for another post).

The best part about this yearly installment, however, is that I'm finally going to meet the latest addition to the family. Meet little L and her angry face.



There are no words for how much I am going to smother this girl with kisses and hugs.