However, I miss some of my oldest friends. The steadfast friends. I miss my girls (and Trent) in DC, the VA crew, Boston, Indiana, Atlanta, LA, Oregon and North Bend to retrieve Laura and the Pennsylvanians - Philadelphia and Pittsburgh equally. I crave a walk with Bridget, coffee with Monica, breakfast sandwiches with Shorty and James, happy hour with the NAF girls, my CHOP BFFs, cooking with Laura, Max and Ben, inappropriate jokes courtesy of Mike and Josh and Erin's birthday.
When you move to a new place, you meet new people and build new relationships. You rely on others to welcome and include you. Developing friendships and relationships are a process of discovery. Sometimes you face disappointment, your trust frittered away and then, unexpectedly, life reveals amazing friends right under your nose.
The STP, a topic on which I will not write a blog post, was both fulfilling and emotionally exhausting in the way that physical endurance taps you dry. There are always expectations, often unrealized. I was dazed, exhausted, emotional and never more thankful for Leah.
Unexpected friend, Leah (in that our friendship randomly stemmed from a dog walk around Greenlake after her appearance on my patio in the immediate wake of an ended relationship). Leah got up, arrived at 5a to work on Sunday, left early, piled into a car with two dogs and Michael (with his heart of gold) to come meet me at the finish line in Portland. SHE is too good to ME.
Okay, sappy stuff aside. Our 24 hour Portland adventures began upon their arrival with a good-bye to Tom, who showered and went in search of friends and sustenance before piling onto a bus back to Seattle.
First step. Shower (with one hand and I guess it is worth mentioning that I couldn't work the bathtub without Leah's aid).
Second step. Find Nurse Laura. A little rough around the edges in her own right… still wearing make-up from the night before.
Third step. First dinner paired with first beer. (Jazz attempts to eat small minority child – embarrassing).
Third step, part b. Text messages received from STP friends on the bus back to Seattle (probably shouldn't have told them about the random guy who sends me text message pictures of himself).
And the obvious response.
Fourth step. Donuts - dessert or breakfast? Philosophical question.
Fifth step. Second dinner paired with two more beers. I have to admit, I love a night that has TWO planned dinners – come now, it expands your options. I love food. Unconditional love.
Sixth step. Sleep. Slowly change into bedtime clothes. Goodnight communications to Seattle – support is so essential in life. Wish I had learned its value at a younger age. Independence is at times, over-rated.
Living the hipster dream. Leah and I decide our photos should reflect the milieu of our current environment. We have ONE more meal during which to live the dream. Michael endures our photo taking tendencies. I'll never be able to refrain.
Long car ride back with a tuckered out puppy in my lap (whew, enduring a road trip is exhausting), followed by moving friends amidst wishing them farewell. Thank you Leah and Michael for retrieving me from Portland and returning me safely to Seattle. Thank you Orion and Kate for safely delivering me home after a long, long few days.
[When the pregnant lady needs chocolate mousse, we deliver chocolate mousse. I use “we” liberally but I'm sure that I had a major role in mousse acquisition… I was VERY supportive of the endeavor while drinking a beer, I have no doubt my problem-solving capabilities were put to essential use.]
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