st. louis in da fall.

what an immense gift it was to spend a little bit of time in st. louis with these two! as i drove to michael and chloe's saturday morning, i literally felt like i was coming home and my entire body began to relax. these last few months in memphis have been phenomenal and i've never questioned once if this is where i am supposed to be… but even as i settle in and begin building relationships here, i'm reminded of the incredible family i have spread all over the u.s and my heart hurts just a bit. as i'm learning to embrace each season of life fully, there's always an underlying measure of feeling like a traveler/nomad/sojourner. i've lived so many places in just 21 years and connected with so many different groups of people that there isn't just one city or place i can call home and feel rooted in. i think i originally thought that moving back to memphis would bring life full circle and give me a solid city to call home but i'm quickly learning that charles dickens was right when he said, "when i speak of home, i speak of the place where - in default of a better - those i love are gathered together; and if that place were a gypsy's tent, or a barn, i should call it by the same good name notwithstanding."  it serves to remind me that no where on this earth will ever truly be my home (they are just temporary dwelling places until i reach heaven some day) but i am blessed to share bear hugs, beautiful conversation & rich memories with those i love in gypsy tents, barns and castles all over the place. 

we spent our weekend together catching up, reading and enjoying a gorgeous afternoon at the park. the leaves in memphis have yet to change (and i heard that they really won't) so i was soaking in all of the color! monday morning i drove home with a full trunk of groceries (we don't have trader joe's in mtown:/) feeling enriched, refreshed & encouraged by m + c. thankful for any opportunity to live life with them! i also got to see my sweet friend jessica lauren and was so blessed by time with her!