There’s No Place Like Home

Becca & Bryan

Becca

Labor day weekend Aaron and I flew East (I flew into BWI and stayed two weeks, he flew to Pittsburgh just for the weekend).  I came a few days early and spent time with Jessica O in her new home in old Greenbelt (which I love) and Ben and Jenna.  On Friday I met up with Aaron and helped Rebecca (Aaron’s sister) and Bryan prepare for their wedding the next day.  We grabbed lunch, met Bryan’s family, moved and re-moved  tables and helped Bryan’s mom and aunt finish up the decorations.  The wedding was the next day, in Waynesburg PA, and like all family weddings it was busy, busy, busy.  I was reminded how much stress and work are involved in planning a wedding, but like all weddings, as soon as Becca walked down the aisle, all the details seemed so trivial.  We blew bubbles as they ran out of the church, danced and caught up with all the relatives, and talked about how happy we were for both of them.  Aaron, Ethan, Jess, Stephanie and I had lots of fun decorating their truck, and we all cheered as they drove off for their honeymoon in the woods.

For the rest of the weekend, I hung out with Ethan, Jess, Aaron and the Sr. Greenes as we explored the Pittsburgh area.  It was good family time seeing a new city, and I had a ton of fun with Jess L. (she’s awesome).  On Monday Aaron and I went off on our own, saw an Imax at the Science Center, and checked out a BBQ competition at the Steelers’ Football stadium.  That evening I dropped Aaron off at the airport, then drove my rental car four hours to crash with Aaron and Kellie Zephir in Baltimore.

The rest of my trip was also a whirlwind: Hung out with SarahBeth, Jim and Oliver in their place in Baltimore, Dinner for Jessica O’s birthday, Afternoon with Jessie K, Coffee with Keren, Navs reunion at Erin’s, Lunch with Jenny B and the kids, Art class with Allison, and two days at Chincoteague and Assateague with Mom and Ben.  In two weeks I did A LOT.  What is difficult is that so many of the people that I care so much about are in the same area, and I love every minute with them, but it just totally wears me out.  And in the end I always feel like I didn’t have enough time to really catch up,you know?  I feel so grateful to see my friends and family, but also sad that I couldn’t get more quality time.

 

 The longer that Aaron and I have been in Seattle, the more it feels like home to me.  But I know that the people I love in the Maryland area are also a source of “home” for me, and it’s difficult to be so far apart.  Still, driving around familiar places and even visiting my childhood home didn’t make me feel any sense of longing to return to my old surroundings or lifestyle.  I realized that I couldn’t see myself there, even though so many people I love are there. When I got off the plane in Seattle I breathed a huge sigh, and realized that more than ever, this is home.  There’s really no place like home.

 

Still, I love my friends and family.  I miss you guys a lot.  Thanks to the O’Roarks, Zephirs, Dorseys and my mom for hosting me.  Thanks to everyone who fed and entertained me (O’Roarks, Zephirs, Erin T, SarahBeth, Jenny, Jessie, Allison, Ben, and Mom).

Congratulations Becca and Bryan!