That's the old adage, right? Pictures (aka evidence) or you didn't do it, right? Just like it's not real unless it's FBO (good old Facebook official). Funny how we need the digital evidence to prove what we've done in real time.
It's hard to believe that a month ago I was packing my bags for a 10-day adventure across the country. It feels like it was just yesterday, but forever ago at the same time. Portland, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Cincinnati and Raleigh. But it was so much more than that. It was laughing with friends and family that we don't see often enough. It was seeing that only half of Oregon is the tree-lined lush state. It was making up stories of rock monsters and talking to all the different species of animals in the fields along the road. It was eating gas station food, taking a gamble with the Mexican restaurant near the hotel and 'modern' rest stops. It was karaoke, wine, beer and stepping foot in states we'd never been in (which was only Kentucky for him, and lots of states for me).
And it is impossible to put everything we experienced into writing or pictures.
And believe it or not, those moments happened (and much more) despite the lack of evidence you see. I chose to focus on being present, which is something I've written about here before. About choosing to not take pictures of everything, or prolonged videos. And yes, I may not remember exactly how that sunset in Idaho looked today, tomorrow, or 20 years from now, but I won't forget how I felt in that moment-- standing and watching the colors reflect off the surroundings and enjoying being there with Patrick.
I feel so fortunate to have been able to take that time off from my new job (which is amazing by the way). To have friends and family who welcomed us into their homes and onto beds and couches and floors. Who played scrabble with us; sang with Patrick (because let's not kid ourselves, karaoke isn't really my thing); connected with us individually and as a couple; showed us your lives at home. To have a roommate who took care of Maizey and Maggy for me while I traveled, and friends who popped by to love on them. And an amazing partner who was patient with me when I got crabby from sitting in the car, and asked if I took my ginger pills before we hit the road to help me from getting car sick, and who understood when I apologized to all the dead animals we saw along the way.
There are some things, that despite your best attempt, you just can't truly capture or re-create with pictures or videos. And for me, this is one of them. Sometimes pictures just don't do life justice.
It's hard to believe that a month ago I was packing my bags for a 10-day adventure across the country. It feels like it was just yesterday, but forever ago at the same time. Portland, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Cincinnati and Raleigh. But it was so much more than that. It was laughing with friends and family that we don't see often enough. It was seeing that only half of Oregon is the tree-lined lush state. It was making up stories of rock monsters and talking to all the different species of animals in the fields along the road. It was eating gas station food, taking a gamble with the Mexican restaurant near the hotel and 'modern' rest stops. It was karaoke, wine, beer and stepping foot in states we'd never been in (which was only Kentucky for him, and lots of states for me).
And it is impossible to put everything we experienced into writing or pictures.
And believe it or not, those moments happened (and much more) despite the lack of evidence you see. I chose to focus on being present, which is something I've written about here before. About choosing to not take pictures of everything, or prolonged videos. And yes, I may not remember exactly how that sunset in Idaho looked today, tomorrow, or 20 years from now, but I won't forget how I felt in that moment-- standing and watching the colors reflect off the surroundings and enjoying being there with Patrick.
I feel so fortunate to have been able to take that time off from my new job (which is amazing by the way). To have friends and family who welcomed us into their homes and onto beds and couches and floors. Who played scrabble with us; sang with Patrick (because let's not kid ourselves, karaoke isn't really my thing); connected with us individually and as a couple; showed us your lives at home. To have a roommate who took care of Maizey and Maggy for me while I traveled, and friends who popped by to love on them. And an amazing partner who was patient with me when I got crabby from sitting in the car, and asked if I took my ginger pills before we hit the road to help me from getting car sick, and who understood when I apologized to all the dead animals we saw along the way.
There are some things, that despite your best attempt, you just can't truly capture or re-create with pictures or videos. And for me, this is one of them. Sometimes pictures just don't do life justice.
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