Visiting Home

As I sat on my flight I realized quite a few different things, the main being that I’m going home and that’s not Orlando. . strange concept. When we were moving me up to Towson mom made a funny comment about how I’m never going to live at home again. I’ll be honest, I blew it off as an emotional mom moment but this past week has made it concrete. I won’t.

:: cue awkwardness as I start to tear up on an airplane ::

I needed this vacation. . not like that was a secret from anyone. Almost four months away from the familiarity, the beach, and having “no worries” was killing me. I missed my old job and coworkers, my eighties nights, being tan, and most importantly – my family. My missing my niece’s birthday party, and knowing it’s not going to be the last big event that I’ll miss was killing me. And knowing that’s a part of “growing up” doesn’t make it easier.

Walking out of the MCO I was greeted with the familiar heat that I miss, a few rays of good strong sun and my adorable niece, nephew and older sister. Kaiden and Vivi were as excited to see me as I was to see them but as soon as I got in the car I didn’t receive a “Hi titi!” but instead it was a “Where’s Eevah!?!?!” – it felt good to be home. Things worked out were I was even fortunate enough to go house hunting with them as they found their new home!

I ventured out with my sister and brother-in-law to re-celebrate my 21^st birthday and their house signing only to almost be denied entrance into I-Bar. My first time out in Orlando as myself and not my alter ego Amanda and my REAL id is almost denied. . . the irony.

The weekend was spent frolicking around St. Pete Beach. I got to soak up some sun, drink some desperately needed lava flows (pina colada and strawberry daiquiri mixed together – oh my lanta delicious) and just relax with my parents. I got to be home for my dad’s birthday.

I saw my old coworkers and hung out with some of my closest friends. I didn’t get to see everyone I wanted to, nor do everything I wanted to, but I’m walking away from home contented. Things change. Sometimes we sadly lose some of our closest friends and we can’t change that.  You can try to change it but sometimes it won’t work. And at least I can say I tried.

I already miss everything about home, but at the same time I’m excited to be back at this “home”. The air is getting a little crisper and I can honestly say I'm quite excited for scarfs and footballs game. Both places seem to be my home now. And as one of my favorite friends pointed out "home is where your heart is, and yours is in Annapolis". 

To part, here's what I saw most of my flight home. My dog is such a diva. (Please note the paw)