Early yesterday morning after coming home from the gym I poured myself a hot cup of coffee and sat on the back porch, enjoying the cool 66 degree temperature and that dreamy dew that settles gently onto the grass until it burns off in the still-summer afternoon heat. Ender won't step into the wet yard unless someone goes with him so together we hopped off the deck and took a few steps around, both of us searching for the green S-shaped toy he sometimes likes to chase after if I throw it enthusiastically enough.

My birthday was on Sunday and every year it hits me with the same combination of emotions--excitement for another year and another autumn; gratitude for the past twelve months and all the people in my life who love me so well; and a healthy dose of nostalgia, every time.

I spent the earliest part of the weekend in Roanoke getting ready for my friend Raquel's wedding, and with a bridal party that consisted of both our childhood friends and college roommates, I was overwhelmed with the realization that some relationships really do stand the test of time. High school lunches on the stage of the cafeteria--for whatever reason we never sat at a table and would all sit on the floor with our backs against the wall and our lunches on our laps. We went to Miller School every summer and belted out Disney songs on early-morning trail runs in the middle of the woods.

And then we grew up a little (but not a lot) and went to college, where Caroline joined our tribe and we'd drink big disgusting bottles of Arbor Mist and drag ourselves to the dining hall for weekend brunches or big family-style pancake breakfasts in our own apartment. We've had falling outs over the years but we always found each other again and we've always been a family. 

I had a moment as I passed out sparklers to Raquel's wedding guests after the reception where I realized that no matter where we live, these people and the love we've shared for so many years can't be taken away from us. It was 11 PM on Friday night and we all stood in the center of the market downtown in Roanoke, where I grew up, and the air was cool and it felt like fall was finally on its way. The sparklers started sparkling and left that holiday haze of smoke that smells like summer and a little bit of sulfur, and for the first time I imagined us in California for however many years and felt totally at peace.

The next day we drove home to Charlotte and planned a pretty last-minute Labor Day cookout at our house with our friends down here. Everyone came and we grilled burgers and roasted s'mores and passed around the season's first pumpkin beer from NoDa Brewing Co. After everyone left, Rob and I cleaned up and kissed in our kitchen and as the sun set I felt so proud of the life we've built here.

It is going to be so hard to leave--that I know. But remembering where we came from and all the friendships we've nurtured over the years despite the distance was enough encouragement to keep me focused. California is far. But our hearts are big.

I'd like remember that when we hit the road.

Since we're moving so soon (two weeks!), I asked my friend Rémy to take some photos of me, Rob, and Ender in Uptown the other day--I really wanted some shots to capture our time here in Charlotte. There are so many good ones I had trouble picking just a few favorites! I can't believe how big Ender is, especially if you look at last year's session with our wedding photographer.

We'll treasure these forever.

Photos by Rémy Thurston.

How is it Wednesday already? This week and the one before have been such a whirlwind--I'm finally unpacking some random boxes we just threw stuff in last time so that when movers come next month they can organize everything in a way that makes sense; I spent last week cleaning out our office and getting rid of lots of clothes; and having Rob home usually feels like vacation but he's been working, plus I taught back-to-back SkillPop classes on Monday and Tuesday so it's been busy over here!

Tonight we're taking some family photos in Uptown with our friend Rémy, and bright and early tomorrow we're headed to Roanoke for my friend Raquel's wedding this weekend! She's one of my very best friends and I'm in the wedding party with Shawna and Caroline, two more of my best friends. I can't wait to get there and see everyone, especially since we're moving away so soon. It's starting to feel really bittersweet. 

So today is just for catching up even more--cleaning our house (I hate coming home to a mess), doing so much laundry, running to the nail salon to get a manicure with my mother-in-law, and packing for a few days away. We'll be back Sunday for my birthday and luckily because of Labor Day, Rob doesn't fly back out to California until Tuesday morning.

I feel like I've been falling down on the blog content scheduling but I think that's just how it's going to be for the next few weeks until I get settled in California! We leave Charlotte on September 18 and will be driving cross-country for 7 days. Sometimes I feel as though I'm still bouncing back creatively after writing The Big 15 Paleo Cookbook, and then throwing a cross-country move into the picture doesn't really help me get organized. By the way if you bought a copy of my book I love you so much, and I'd so appreciate a review on Amazon--that helps new people find it!  

I just wanted to write a casual post today and say hi, as well as thank you all for bearing with me as we start to navigate this transition. It's going to be a wild ride and I'm so happy you're all here for it.