It's beginning to look a lot like fall...at least for now. Last night it got down to 45 degrees, but tomorrow the high is 78. I'd like to convince myself that autumn is in full swing - the changing leaves, the chill in the air, the justification of pumpkin spice lattes and sweet nutmeg scented candles. Alas, it's still one week and six days before fall even officially begins.
Dan and I got back on Saturday night from visiting my sister, brother-in-law, mom and dad in Poulsbo, WA. I bought some cute fall-time decor at a local shop and was told that they were made by local women. Nice touch. I'm itching to put them up in our apartment - partly because of my ridiculous anticipation and obsession with fall, but partly because I need to have some little reminder of my family close-by. Something to remind me that I was with them, and I'll be with them again - even that sometime is 14 months away.
This morning on my ride to work I realized that it's not something I only say, but my sisters really are my best friends. And as painful as it is sometimes to only see them once in a great while, I'd rather have a family that's close emotionally and far away physically than vise versa. I can't imagine being complacent about family, getting together out of obligation and not being completely and lovingly honest at all costs. It's foreign to me and I never want it to be familiar. Coming back from family vacation #2 has been much better than coming home from #1. I knew what to expect, had a job to come back to and a life to start living again. Don't get me wrong - it doesn't make it any easier, it just lessens the blow. A little.
Monday was cold and rainy and felt like a nice welcome home day. We went to Dan's parents' house to do laundry and drove home at about 9:45pm. We drove our own cars home since we met there after work. On the way home it was perfect conditions - cold, dark, rainy and I was listening to Consequence by Notwist. I cried a little. No reason at all, just for all the beautiful things in my life. My husband, my nephew and niece, my sisters, my God who loves me and loves to see me grow and swallow my pride. It was wonderful. I love to drive by myself. I think it's my most valuable alone-time. Add a cup of coffee and some soul moving music and it's like nothing else.
Dan is heading out of town this weekend. I won't be happy to see him go, but the female in me is giddy about my own queen sized bed and a solo movie. Wait...is that the female in me? Or the introvert in me that screams "I am my father's daughter"?
I miss the mountains. Especially at this time of year. The anticipation of the fall colors is wonderful, but when you know you have endless rolling hills of color to gaze at while driving through the mountains, it's much more exciting. I think I'll have to talk Dan into a trip to Traverse City this fall - especially now that I have my new camera. That won't take much convincing :)
Folks, just savor the fall. Christmas decorations and music will be out of control before you blink, so be sure to revel in the oranges, reds and yellows of the coming months. Don't get so caught up in winter and presents that you forget to witness, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful weeks of the year.
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