People often ask me if I'll move back to Indiana any time soon and my response is always the same - that I really have no idea. One of the coolest and scariest things about life right now is that I'm just living.
As somewhat of an obsessive planner, and as someone who has always had a plan for what 27 would look like - it can be scary at times. But it's also pretty amazing. For the first time since high school I've stopped worrying about what I want to be when I grow up, when I will have babies or who I will marry...
That's not to say I'm apathetic. I'm serious about my job. I can't wait to get married. I'm so excited to one day be a mom. I'm still taking steps every day to advance my future.
But for the first time in years, I finally understand that it's not my plan and, even by constantly stressing and calculating, I can't make my plan come true.
Do I see myself staying in Atlanta for a while and continuing to build my life here? Yes! But could I have told you at 21 that I'd still be here with life as it is now? Or, better yet, could I have told you yesterday what would happen today? Definitely not. Educated guesses - of course. But I don't have a crystal ball.
And this weekend with my family gave me even more perspective. As I shared Atlanta with them, it reminded me how much I love this city. But it also reminded me that wherever they are - whether it be Atlanta, Indiana, Virginia, Colorado or Rome - is exactly where my home is.
And this weekend, it was Atlanta:
We helped my dad surprise my mom on Wednesday when he showed up - she had no idea he was coming down.
We had a cookout Thursday night in the beautiful weather.
We went to the Aquarium (finally! bucket list #38) Friday, which was awesome. They did such an amazing job making it an experience. It's so much more than animals in water. If I were a kid, my mind would have been blown.
I sold my car, which was a less-fun thing to do, but needed to happen while my dad was in town because we were both on the title. And it was at least productive! Bye, bye, sweet Jeep. You've been a great friend to me.
We went to dinner at Tin Lizzy's to celebrate the birthday kids: Duke, Ryan and my mama.
We spun the rock at the corner of 10th and Piedmont (bucket list #130 - so heavy!).
We went to breakfast at Highland Bakery, where I tried their GF Sweet Potato biscuit and about d.i.e.d. How has no one told me about this before? (NOW bucket list #131).
We went to the Goat Farm.
And played in an intramural volleyball game in Piedmont Park.
And went to dinner at Farm Burger to celebrate Duke's day-of birthday! With homemade cookies and ice cream for dessert. And presents!
And talked and laughed and loved and realized that home isn't a place at all, it's one another.
I hope your weekend was wonderful!