One Year

Well, one year ago today I moved to Durham. That's right folks, it has been one year.

A year ago Monday (July 9th) I left Ann Arbor. It was quite possibly one of the hardest days of my life. I woke up (after spending all day Saturday packing up my car and my parents' car) and went to church at Oakpointe. Miss Sarah Maynard, Jenn, Josh, Melissa and Keli all came, too. They are some of my favorites. Well, anyway... we went to brunch afterwards at Denny's (oh, Denny's has some good memories)... because really, I didn't want to go. It was fun times.

But, then the impossible came... Jenn and Josh were heading back to their apartment and the rest of us back to the house. I didn't think I was going to, but, as I turned to say good bye to Jenn, I couldn't. I teared up. My best friend... how was I to say good bye (well, at this point, even a see ya later seemed impossible). It pretty much SUCKED! I have to say, I still don't think anyone knows me quite as well as she does.

The drive home, I pulled it together, but when I got to 727, my parents were there... ready to go. Oh man... the tears came again. This time I had to say good bye to those lovely women... and the memories. Ann Arbor was home for four years... it was the place that I became myself... I had never felt so comfortable in my life, never so comfortable in my skin. I didn't want to start over again... Ann Arbor was home, and those people my family. But, I had to... it was really awesome though, Keli and Sarah and Melissa prayed for me before I left. What amazing women of the Lord.... they pretty much are amazing :-).

It was sweet... as I was getting in my car to start the 12 hour drive home... my Dad gave me a hug... a man of few words sure can be profound. He said to me, "I remember when you left, you didn't want to come... you cried that morning you left Va Beach... and now you are crying about leaving this place." How true... how awesome. If in only place I have to leave, I am that attached. It means that i TRULY lived there.

So, that Monday, July 10th, I didn't do much... ran some errands... went to see some peeps on Summer Project (always a nice surprise).

Then Tuesday, July 11th, one year from today... I unpacked both cars... put all the crap in my room (which was storage for Ross's and his roommates stuff), and then repacked my car. For when I arrived here in Durham, I actually lived in a hotel for about a week and half... until I found my wonderful roomie and my apartment.

I will never forget having to drive off that day from my house... it was so hard. I don't know if my mom and dad know, but I cried the whole way from our house, down Shore Drive and Northampton... I don't think I regained my composure until I reached 64. The drive wasn't bad... and once I got here, I think I said goodbye to emotion. At that point, it was go time... get settled into the hotel... unpack... and get ready for the first day of work tomorrow. YIKES!

Tomorrow, I will recap that first day, and maybe talk about the red flags I ignored.

But anyway... my point of ponder now... Last night Laurie and I had a roomie dinner (we have had them at various points over the past year... last night was Taco Night). But anyway... Laurie asked me if I felt that I changed over the last year... what I had learned. You know... i couldn't answer. I am sure that I have... I hope that I have... but I don't know if I can put into words how I have changed... I guess I will have to get back to you on that one. But, yea... so expect some thoughts on that as we go...

But yea... one year ago... wow, how time can fly and crawl at the same time.