Dave & Patti with Lincoln

I’m sitting on an cross-country flight as I write this (my trip will be long over by the time you read this, though!) and relishing in the energy and adventures I find in travel.  The people watching in an airport is delightful (today’s highlight: the overall-and-pigtailed three-year-old who never met a stranger), the inspiration of a B737’s humming keeps my brain-wheels spinning, and the sleep-deprivation angst forces me to be deliberate in counting my blessings.  Yes, that’s right:  it’s Thankful Thursday!

On top of my list, of course, is GOING TO NORTH CAROLINA!  I lived in Washington, DC for four years during college and I’m coming up on two years in Vancouver, BC, but I think North Carolina will always and forever hold my heart’s affection (if you’d told that to my 12-year-old self who anxiously dreamt of moving away, I would’ve laughed).  The inconveniences of a 4:00am alarm clock are easily forgiven, then;  especially when it means seeing my Mommy. =)

Today, though, I’m especially thankful for the beauty of a long-lasting, still-tangible, giddy-and-giggly love.   When drove into Aldergrove Lake Park to spend an afternoon with Dave and Patti, I didn’t know what to expect.  What I botch this?  Will I be able to be funny and make them laugh?  What if they think I’m cheesy and roll their eyes instead?  Basically, every insecurity imaginable chorused on repeat in my brain.  I was even convinced the dog would attack me and send me to the hospital.    Go ahead and laugh, but that’s what I feared. It’s just the truth.

Within three minutes, though, all fears were squelched.  The dog was just as friendly and cheerful as I’d remembered him (yes, I had met him twice before and fallen in love with his adorable face), Dave and Pattie were even more fun than I ever anticipated, and I was inspired watching their love-to-laugh love in delight for what life might could look like for me in twenty-five years or so.

As another Thursday rolls around reminding me to be thankful, I’m extra thankful for Dave and Patti and their inspiration to me in their beautiful, laugh-filled love.  I’m also thankful for plane rides and their ability to shorten 3500 miles into one day of travel so I can jet off to see my family in the land of Tarheels and sweet tea.