Back to My Roots

I am so glad I came back for the wedding. I think I laughed more that night in 5 hours than I did in the past 5 weeks. Getting out of California is so damn therapeutic. This state isn't BAD, it's just no Midwest.

For one thing, it is far too dry and pleasant on the West Coat. It just doesn't feel like summer without 95% humidity and loads of mosquitoes. I miss the sticky evenings and moist breeze. I miss the oaks and elms. I miss the towering thunderheads, with their rumbling thunder and staccato lighting. I miss the lazy Southern drawl. Most of all, I miss the wonderful crazy people I grew up with.

Oh how we've grown. Who would have thought 7 years later a bunch of band nerds could have morphed into strong, successful young ladies. We are adults... or at least we are responsible, mature twenty-somethings with jobs and cars and houses (and now some of us husbands).
I was thrilled to see noone had truly outgrown the quirks that make them, well, them; some things I never want to change.

"All the liquor stores are closed... looks like we'll have to make fudge sober."-- Erin
"He told me he wanted the wedding in August. I told him he was insane."-- Haley
"Here I am aerating their lawn."-- Rachel, in stilettos
"I always wanted to be a fish!"-- Catherine, perfectly spoofing the puckered picture pose
"Ooo, we did a winter guard routine to this song! Where's Cat? We have to time the saber toss!"-- Erin



Coming back, reliving my past, it hit me how profoundly where you grow up affects the rest of you life. No mater how far away I travel, no mater how many things I do and see, Oklahoma will still be my reference. My standard. Not necessarily my HOME, but definitely my home base. I came of age here, how could it have not shaped me? I return and everything is immediately familiar, comfortable. The friends from my hometown are simply irreplaceable.
It was a pleasure to spend the weekend in the company of you all.
[Or rather, y'all.]



Haley, I am so happy for you and Burt.
I remember those times in high school, expressing teenage dismay... you thought you would end up a hermit. I knew, even back then, that you were no hermit! Best wishes to the both of you.