March Is For Reunions

Spring break is approaching and with that vacation times. How are you starting your spring? This house has decided that this spring is all about reunions and road trips!

I haven't gotten to have a spring break since I was in college but thankfully we have an amazing loophole called Chase. Chase, still being in school has a spring break which gives James and I an excuse to also have a spring break. That's how this idea started at least. Eventually it grew into us being able to actually take a trip worthwhile.

I haven't seen my grandparents [on my mothers side] in quite a while. This is something that I struggle with regularly as they are very important people in my life and are located on the other side of the country. So we decided that there was no better place to go then to see my Grandma and Grandpa and give them great big hugs. The idea grew from just going out to Arizona to road tripping to Arizona when we realized both James and Chase have never seen the Grand Canyon amongst other historical sites along the way. My Grandmama is very excited to have us come out, and huge shout out to her because she is hands down My Mess's biggest fan. Hi Grandma! James is excited because he has always wanted to do a real road trip. I am excited because both of them are excited! And Chase? Well, she has drawn the line at my "road trip audio book selection". All in all I think this is going to be a wonderful trip.

After we initially planned that, we found out that some of our friends over in Nevada would be able to come join us in Arizona for a day or two. For no other reason than to just come show us some love. Shout out to them as well because I know they read too. Hi Nick! Hi Jill! We are so excited to be seeing you all soon. I truly am blessed to have such friends who are willing to make such a drive just to come give me a bear hug and say I love you. This couldn't get any better. And then it got better.

As I was gearing up for a reunion with my grandparents and then Nick and Jill, I got a text. As one does in 2020. My childhood best friend who has been busy, off being a B.A. scientist, asked me to come visit her in Wisconsin just a couple weeks before our trip to Arizona. Filling our March schedule to the brim. Not a very far road trip at all, so we hands down agreed. The above picture is of the two of us on big days. The top half is the day we moved her into her first college dorm and the bottom is of us in high school right before we headed off to our junior year homecoming. So little. Apparently, we haven't taken many pictures in adulthood. And let me just say, I can't wait to change that and take a new less sweaty picture when I see her. Being far apart can be hard, reunion is definitely needed.

Yes, March is going to be busy but for all the right reasons this time. Getting to take time off work to spend time with loved ones and to see more than just the streets we drive every day. There is something freeing about the prospect. There is something healing about it too. So what will you be doing this spring break? Some of you might not be able to make a road trip work. But it doesn't need to be a grand escape, I mean if you can manage it then yes by all means flee. But if you can just give yourself something to look forward to I promise you will see an improvement in your attitude and in the energy you put forth day to day. We all need something to look forward to. Loving friends and family waiting for me was definitely the ticket but now you need to find what it is for you and chase after it.

Maybe it is a reunion, or maybe just a road trip, or maybe it's going to the actual movie theater instead of staying in. Or planning a nice dinner. Or going for a hike at Starved Rock. It can be anything as long as it brings you peace and joy. Give yourself the spring time gift of "new life", because the new year isn't the only time for change. Revitalize yourself this spring. You deserve it.

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Thank you for joining me this Sunday for this little tidbit of The Mess here on My Mess. If you are worrying about the work/school week to come, take a deep breath, you got this. Start off strong with a new, positive attitude and let it carry you through. And I will see you back on Wednesday for some Nerdom! Never forget, to stay messy and keep growing!