Wineries and Homesickness

Last summer we were celebrating the single life of my sweet friend from college. We spent the weekend touring wineries, sleeping in a crappy motel, and changing clothes in the Burger King parking lot. The day was a bit chaotic as most bachelorette parties are; and our last stop had us looking out over this beautiful valley at the darkest, most gloomy rain clouds.  They were thick, full, and ready to pour on beautiful women dressed to the nines.

We ran into our last winery and listened to the storm as it landed on a tin roof. We were tired, wet, cold, and going to be late to dinner reservations. 

I looked at our beautiful bride-to-be friend and she was laughing. She's one who knows that things don't always go as planned; in fact, she might argue that most of her major life events have not gone as planned.Our eyes met and we just laughed. She was letting this storm roll of her shoulders just about as fast as it rolled in, and making the most of it. It was admirable. 

A photograph of the bride and her friends before the storm.

Homesickness is much like this storm. Denver has been nothing but beautiful, chaotic, and six months of "I have no clue what to do next" moments. Last weekend, my mind was already telling me how hard this week was going to be. My dearest friends were going to be together in northern Michigan and I was not, deadlines at work were pressing in, and somehow all I could think was, "I made the wrong choice."   

Everything I wanted, needed, and loved seemed to be in another world.

Everything foreign was right next to me and all up in my bubble space. 

Anxiety set in and my mind decided that it was going to be a crappy week.

I was choosing to stand in the rain - wet, cold, and mad.

Then...

Shannon sent me an email that touched every fiber of my being and shined light onto something I thought was unseen.

Katie road-tripped with me to Pueblo via phone and encouraged me to keep taking care of myself.

Ryan shared his testimony to 8 people he barely knew - reminding me that men are good and God works through all things.

Denver dropped rain last week & snow today. #makeupyourmindCO

Dilyn said, "I'll do that spreadsheet for you - go to bed," - reminding me that I'm not alone and that my burdens are shared.

Claire invited me to do cool things this summer- reminding me that there is so much to look forward to.

Selma told me about the new love in her life - reminding me that strength grows as patience is practiced.

My roommates and I ate breakfast at Ihop, in our PJ's at 11 AM and reminded me that hitting the ground running is not always what you need.

And tonight, I close another week of unmet deadlines, unanswered e-mails, and so many unknowns. I see the storm, hear the storm, and embrace the storm - it's the water this new season needs to survive, it's not drowning me - it's growing me. 

Written in love,

Lauren