my boys and i at our favorite lakeside restaurant.
We had SUCH a good time in Charlotte. In fact, I'm currently still having such a good time in Charlotte. :) It is hard to explain, and hard to even discern for myself, how I feel about our visit. Of course, it was such a great time seeing friends and being back in our old stomping grounds. But, that's the thing, it was almost TOO great. We lived in a really fantastic area, with really fantastic weather, and really beyond fantastic friends. And, it's hard to know that we left this life. All the while, Husband and I still have a steadfast peace about moving and know through and through that it took 4 years to build this life in Charlotte. Surely, 8 months isn't long enough to feel firmly planted in a new city…even if that city was once home to you.
To be honest, our long weekend here has felt more like "home" to me than our home city does in a lot of ways. It's impossible to explain, and also really hazy to even feel. I am partially blaming it on pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep. :)
We, of course, love being with our families. We adore our lifelong friends in Indiana who welcomed us back with open arms. We just miss the vibrant lifestyle we led here in Charlotte. It is almost a good reminder to us that we can still cultivate that kind of life in Indiana…it just takes a little harder work. :)
We miss our good friends here, and we miss that our boys had best friends here–as evidenced by our "DIY Daycare" picture below. This is two families worth of babies, born in the last 4.5yrs. 3 girls born to our dear friends, and we're currently working on our 3rd boy. We have watched our families grow together, and our children have known each other since birth. In fact, we babysat each other's children while in the hospital having our subsequent babies. You have to know, when we go places with the 9 of us (4 adults, 5 kids)…people look at us like we need to be committed. :) It is such a chaotic and joyful scene when we get together…lots of innocent hugs and kisses and sweetness amongst the kids. I think it's a little bit like a perfect arranged marriage situation. :) :) I kid, I kid.
Our boys and their besties.
I know that we'll have to Skype a lot and plan our next visit soon. We always said while we lived here that in a town full of transplants without family–your friends become your family. We have done Thanksgivings and Easters and every day in between with this collection of friends in Charlotte…and bonds like that aren't easy to loosen.
Our boys have been champion travellers, enjoying the free hotel breakfast every day. They have stayed up way too late, slept in gloriously late, and have treasured every moment with their friends. The 10 hour drive here was 94% enjoyable, which is pretty good in a vehicle with 1 driver, 1 majorly pregnant passenger, and 2 energy filled back seat little dudes.
Here's hoping tomorrow's drive home will be just as great–and also that 10 hours is long enough sort out all of my feelings before we jump back in with both feet in Indianapolis.