Wake up and realize you are surrounded...

By amazing friends.

Dear Blog,

"They" (whoever the hell they are) say that when you die, moments of your life flash before your eyes. Instead of regaling you with witty banter from this past weekends whirlwind trip to the Carolinas, I thought instead I would put a smattering of some of the moments up here for "them" to remember so they can flash before my eyes before I kick the proverbial coffee can.

Laughing so loud and long with my family late night on Thursday and making myself remember this moment because it might be a while before all five of us are together again, laughing like this.

Eating a Rolaid after my first Bojangle's chicken biscuit in 6 months. It didn't sit too well y'all.

Wondering at what point my heart will stop beating so quickly when I hear my parents talking on the phone to someone at an ungodly hour in the morning. I know who is on the other line and I know it's not good news.

Eating STP dippers with my best mate and watching her child clumsily put little orange slices in her mouth, and realizing that we've known each other for over a decade and guess what? We're old.

Sitting in the back of the family wagon while driving to Charlotte and wondering how it will feel when I get there? Very scared that I won't want to go back to Seattle.

Rationalizing to myself and Aaron why I need those Christian Louboutins that are on sale at Bob Ellis for 60% off, yet are still $400. When I don't convince him, I threw a mild a temper tantrum. Then get mad at myself for said tantrum. Note to self: don't go into Bob Ellis next go round.

Seeing my best college friends, The Coles and The Youngs for the first time. You couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

Screaming in the back of Russ' car when Leigh and Kyle slyly told us they bought a beamer.

Crying at the middle of dinner when Kyle asked me if I missed Charlotte at all. Why can't I hold those stupid tears in?

Walking down East Boulevard.

Going over to a friend's house and have her offer me and Aaron weed. Ew. We declined.

Having dinner with good friends is one of my most favorite past times.

Walking into a random Starbucks and seeing an old friend and his huuuuuuuuuuuuge smile when he saw me. A big hug followed.

Burying the hatchet with an old friend over lunch and making a pact to start anew.

Running into a friend someone with whom I would like to bury the hatchet in her back.

Consciously making an effort not to tear up when I said good bye to Leigh and Miles and succeeding!

Barely making it inside before tearing up.

Thinking, "Charlotte is no longer my home. I am a visitor."

Driving home from the airport on I-5 this morning at 1 AM and thinking "This is my home, and I'm fine with that."

Feeling satisfied.

xoxo,
Alison