Your first trip home in a year.
We have had appointments - doctor's, dentists, hair, eyes, nails...
In less than two weeks I have gained five pounds. We have had breakfasts, coffees, lunches, drinks and dinners - with different people - nearly every day.
We had a family filled first weekend, wonderful food and wine catching up with my parents. We have caught up with old friends and we held the return of Friday FUNday. We have celebrated birthdays (some on time, some late) and we have realized just how much can happen in one year.
There have been friends where we pick up right where we left off and others were the distance is starting to leave a frosty hole between us. Deep down I have a nagging sense of "I've missed this. I've missed you." I also realize how much I have missed.
Other expats told us that we will go back and nothing will have changed. Everyone will be doing the same old thing. In some ways, I guess that's true. But similarly, it isn't like our life is much different. In fact, to be honest, we are doing the same old thing too - just in a different country.
I think life is made up of the little moments and not of the major events. It hurts to miss the "little things" with our friends - when they apply for a new job, go on first dates, take part in a festival, pick up a new hobby, move houses and so on. I miss it all. I don't regret the choice we are making, but I am more aware now of the costs (dare I say "opportunity costs") of our decisions.
I am going to soak it all in while I can.
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