I flew to Texas to take an exam (which I made a 93 on!!). I was able to stay for 5 days. It was wonderful. After a long flight there, I stepped off the plane onto Texas ground. I exited the very familiar airport to look up at the beautiful Texas sky. The warmth hit me like a blanket fresh from the dryer. I felt...Home. I was picked up by one of my besties. It was so wonderful to see a familiar face. I don't want to be misunderstood here. I love being with The Chief and The Little Man in Connecticut, but it doesn't feel like home. So being in Texas I felt as though I had never left. As the week flew by all too fast I realized my time in Texas was coming to a quick end. I made sure to soak every bit of it in the best I could. I made sure the sunroof was open and the windows were open. I made sure to stop by all my favorite restaurants that no longer exist in my new hometown. I went by my jewelry store to get my ring checked. I drove a little slower than the speed limit to just be a little longer with the sun shining on my head. I saw all four of my friends, my sister, and my wonderful niece and nephews. I couldn't have asked for anything more...except time.
I am very protective of my friends. As I said goodbye to one, I found it very difficult to walk away. I wanted to hold her just a little longer. I looked at her and the kids and wished that I had another week, or even another day. She doesn't have any siblings, I have always felt like I was the closest thing she had to a sister. I didn't want to leave her again. As I stood there and looked at her and her eyes tearing up, my mind searched for a reason to stay even a moment longer.
This trip was especially hard. Leaving another friend as she took me to the airport, was also gut wrenching. As we chatted on the way there, I watched the all familiar signs fly by. I knew I was getting closer to goodbye. As we pulled up to the airport, I opened the back door to say goodbye to the baby. As soon as I looked at him, he grinned at me. With an infant, it is almost as if they don't yet know how to smile. He just opens his mouth so wide with the smallest upward curve of both sides of his mouth. What an amazing feeling that gives me. Such a beautiful way to say goodbye. Little does he know, the next time I see him, he will be walking. He won't even know me.
As I land in Connecticut my excitement starts to build again. I can't wait to see Little Man and the Chief. Then I step outside. Ugly. Dirty. Snow. Coldness. I began to long for the Texas sun as I search for my car. I wonder, will this state ever feel like home?
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