What happens…

…when a wayward Alexandria girl comes back into town? The answer: an array of wonderful things.

Like going directly to the local diner upon her arrival because Barnside’s burgers and shakes are just that good.

Words of comfort spoken when we’ve stayed up talking till the wee hours of the morning (after “going to bed” hours previous).

Friends from near and far dropping in.

Good movies that make us laugh… and cry.

Pancakes and eggs at 11 o’clock on a Friday night – simply because we can.

Spending the afternoon in Annapolis to have our self-esteem boosted significantly by admiring midshipmen and to eat at a “café” that’s more like a 5 star restaurant (scallops+crab cakes+mahi mahi+salmon = happiness).

Driving down the freeway at night with the windows down because the night air is so perfect and smells green, singing Matchbox 20’s Bright Lights at the top of our lungs (but we can barely hear ourselves because the music’s so loud).

But most of all, just being “home” together, hovering about the kitchen or lounging with our laptops or getting ready for bed upstairs, talking about everything from weddings to the root causes of déjà vu to theology and everything in between.

Miss you already, Ash!