Coming Home

For the past few months, I've been wrestling with a decision. In early March I learned that one of my best friends was getting married in June, before our proposed return to the US in July and I was crushed. Seventeen years, thousands of phone calls, hundreds of pictures, numerous trips, countless hours of conversation, volumes of advice, rooms full of laughter, buckets of tears, and winding roads of memories make up our friendship. The thought that I wouldn't be at her wedding, the 'happiest day' of her life - selfishly - was crushing. But I had responsibilities here. I had a contract to fulfill, a brother to host, a husband to support, an experience to complete. I wrestled with ways to make it work. I pondered. I rationalized. I agonized. I waited for my brother to buy his ticket. Finally - I decided. I'm coming home!

On June 6th, Crystie will tie the knot and I will have the privilege of being there in person to witness it all. It was a tough decision to make because I will be leaving Steven for a week on his own in Viet Nam and then for two weeks of travel with dear friends, but as much as I would like, I can't be in two places at once. In the end, after all of our years of friendship, I didn't want to miss this day. In 50 years, when we're reminiscing about our lives, our marriages, our weddings, I didn't want to not have those memories. And when would I have another opportunity to spend a few uninterrupted weeks with my parents and friends that I have seen in a year? And, luckily, I've been blessed with a wonderful, supportive husband, with whom I'll have many, many years and many trips to make up for missing out on this one.

So with the click of a button on the Orbiz website, I made my decision final. 8:36 p.m. on June 4th will find me at Palm Beach International Airport waiting for my parents with open arms. The clock is now ticking on my time in Viet Nam.