First Day of 2010
Well here we are, in 2010. Weird year to write… that’s going to take some getting used to.
Melissa, Kristin, Michele and I all smiles a few moments before midnight.
01-01-10 began with the sound of laughter from my living room. I had two great girl friends stay with me and we woke up that morning feeling refreshed, happy and thankful. We celebrated the new year with a few bagels from Einsteins and then they were on their way back in Gainesville. I have adored those girls for 12 or 13 years… It’s magical to me to still have them in my life and to spend the second year in a row bringing in the new year with them.
Next stop on this first day of 10′ was to see one of my favorites. I threw on some jeans and a sweatshirt and make the 15 minute drive to a house that I know very well. It’s the place where I met and fell in love with so many friends, a place where I have slept on sofas, where I have celebrated birthdays and the place where Austin lives(d). I walked in and that boy was sitting at the computer… just where I had seen him sit 100 times before. I immediately had flash backs and Remember When moments because Austin no longer lives at that house. He now calls Maryland home and eventually home will be Afghanistan for him. He jumped up, I ran over and I think we hugged for about 6 minutes. I have seen him a few times since he left, but not in his house…. not in the company of some of the original circle of friends. It made me miss those early days when I first moved to Atlanta. I love the fact that I spent the first day of the new year with a guy that had such an amazing impact on the previous year.
Austin, back at "home".
To see Austin back in the house was that much more special because in a few more weeks those guys are moving out. I feel like its honestly an end of an era… I know that sounds dramatic, but its true. So, after we said our goodbyes to Austin I went along for the ride as two of the guys went house hunting. We spent the next three hours driving around Atlanta in search of a new home for them. I laughed till my stomach hurt as we contemplated their new address. We walked through and around a huge spectrum of homes… Ones that had holes in roofs, others were million dollar estates. If laughter is the best medicine, I surly will be able to make it through 2010 with amazing health.
As the afternoon winded down, an offer to venture down to see a Hawks game was put on the table. The three of us that spent the day house hunting as well as four others found ourselves sitting at a great basketball game a few hours later. You couldn’t help but get swept up in the crowds energy as the teams went back and forth, eventually going into overtime to dual it out. It was a great way to spend a Friday night. I love this city!!
The night came to a close with a few rounds of Rock Band (back at my favorite house). This is also a tradition that always makes me smile. Nothing quite like seeing adults play a video game… I love it.
Here’s to 2010. May it be half as fun as 01-01 was…