Spring Break '07 Shout Out

Working for a school means that I can occasionally pretend that I don't have a real job. I get to take two weeks off during Christmas and New Years AND a week off in the spring for Spring Break and none of that was listed that in the benefits package. (They also didn't list some of the stuff I'm required to do under the job description, but who's counting?) So thanks to a week off and plane tickets from my parents Husband and I headed to Springfield, a much coveted Spring Break destination and home of the Throwed Roll. Actually, Springfield is home to A LOT of things such as, Brad Pitt's high school and the Assemblies of God National Headquarters. But those exciting facts are for another post. (Probably on some other blog.) For me, Springfield is home to most of my growing up years.

Husband and I haven't had a chance to visit the city that brought us together since we moved (ran) away almost four years ago. Over the course of the week, we realized that we don't miss it at all. We also realized that there are lots of people living there that we do miss. And we miss them with a deep ache that we must have learned to ignore over the past couple of years. The ache was (and still is) undeniable and very palpable. I am still nursing it. To watch friendships pick up where they left off is an amazingly indescribable experience and even I can't string together enough adjectives to paint that mental picture. Also, seeing offspring of people that you've known since sixth grade is more surreal than I was prepared for. We saw lots of people and we didn't see lots of people, so if we missed you we are really sorry. Thanks to all the friends who made time for us and thanks to those who will still be friends with us even though we didn't have time to spend with you. We will do our best to not wait another 4 years to come back.

Bethie, the party was ridiculous fun. And the mango curry was amazing, but not as amazing as the conversation.
Fun Van-ers, thanks for showing up. We didn't know what to expect, but you reminded us why we called it the Fun Van in the first place.
Sam and Katie, Sorry we didn't tell you about the unofficial Which Couple Can NOT Have Kids Longer Contest. You probably would have tried harder if you'd known there was a competition. We're so excited about the new addition to your family this fall, and not just because we won. No, really.
Phil and Kristen, thanks for letting me crash your house for a couple of hours and introducing me to your kids. Mini-Chad and Cinderella are lovely, surreal, but lovely.
Earl and Jan, we'd so go to your church if we lived in Berkley. It's like we're dating, we always go out to eat, and you pay, and we part in a-flutter pining for next time. Maybe we can squeeze in a Council date? I promise to wear something cute. Thanks for listening to us young'uns, because we know you've heard it all before.
Mom and Dad. We love you and we loved being with you last week. It went by too fast. Thanks for getting tired of us being poor and buying us plane tickets. We'll do our best not to wait another 4 years to come back.