She’s Leaving HomeMay 25th, 2007 @ 7:01 am
Its Memorial Day weekend. This holiday represents so much to so many people. For me it represents something completely different.
Seven years ago was my last day at work. I had been with the same company for three years. My last day was spent going out to lunch with my co workers. My desk was covered with good-bye gifts, sweet notes and some flowers from The King wishing me good luck.
Quitting time came and I packed up my desk, got in my car and headed to the airport to pick up The King. He had a one way ticket from Seattle to come and get me. I was thrilled to see him. That feeling of excitement overshadowed my feelings of dread.
I was leaving home.
We spent the weekend packing my little Civic full. I had promised myself I would only take what I could fit in my car. That really wasn’t much, especially since The King would be driving with me and thus taking up the entire front of the car. We managed to fit everything I wanted to take, including one of the new little kitties that had just been born on the farm. I felt like taking that kitty would be the closet thing to taking my entire family with me.
My mom was at work the day we left. My dad was out in the back in the horse stalls, my younger brother and sister were out with their friends. I took some of the sidewalk chalk my dad had given me earlier in the month for my birthday and wrote little messages in all of their parking spots. I drew little hearts, flowers and smiley faces. I wrote that I loved them.
On the way out of town we stopped at my friend’s apartment to say our goodbyes. She was dating some new dude and I was bugged that he was there during that moment. He got the hint and went outside. We talked for a minute about the drive to Seattle. She returned a book I had loaned her years ago. A book I had forgotten about. I hugged her and as I was walking out to my car I turned and said; see you at my wedding in August.
I hate to say it, but I wasn’t sad. Yes, I would miss my family. Yes, I would miss my friends. Yes, I would miss my familiar surrounding. But the thrill of driving away with my future eternal companion into the sunset washed my fears away. I was embarking on a trip that would change my life forever. And I knew it. I appreciated it. I understood.
Every Memorial Day weekend when I see flags flying and flowers being placed at gravesites, I think about that Memorial Day seven years ago.
The day my life began.
The King · Me · Back in the day
madmom
said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:00 pm
what a nice post
it must have been so exciting for you to go off like that. hope you guys have a great weekend
Frema
said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:05 pm
You were a beautiful bride. I love that last shot of you and The King, with his big smile and your sweet pose!
CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela
said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:17 pm
I absolutely adore those pictures - that last one - so inspired!
So we share an anniversary?!?!
Operation Pink Herring
said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:26 pm
I love that last picture. It’s adorable.
Happy anniversary of your new life!
MK
said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Oh that was have be goosebumps!!!
Audrey
said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I love those pictures. You and the King are so adorable!
HollowSquirrel
said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:48 pm
That last shot? That is BY FAR my favorite wedding photo of allll time! LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I can’t wait to share it with Mr. Squirrel tonight.
Emily
said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:54 pm
The second picture is priceless. So, where did you move from? How did you meet the King?
Britt
said,
May 25, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I love love stories…. sometimes. Can I ask you a question? What kind of wedding did you have with the King? And even more personal… was everyone supportive of this being your second marriage?
So glad you found your King! Even if he doesn’t read Harry Potter (good grief, King)!
Stephanie
said,
May 25, 2007 at 6:15 pm
That post was amazing. I just teared up a little at my cube. Isn’t it amazing to think of the benchmarks in our life. How wonderful of you to share this one!
Rachel
said,
May 25, 2007 at 6:23 pm
What a sweet post, Isabel! It made me all teary. I love the wedding pictures, you look so very very happy in them.
I’m glad you decided to take that huge leap of faith and leave home. It has worked out beautifully for you and The King!
metalia
said,
May 25, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Such a beautiful post.
heidikins
said,
May 25, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I love this post! Such a wonderful memory!
xox
Fraulein N
said,
May 25, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Awww. I love that last picture.
janet
said,
May 25, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I love this sweet, sweet post. And how happy you look in those pictures!
Christar
said,
May 25, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Aww, that’s a beautiful story! And you two look so CUTE together! I absolutely love that last picture! Where did you guys get married at?
Every Memorial Day reminds me of my mom. Her birthday always surrounds Memorial Day, and even sometimes falls on it. This year is the year that her birthday happens to fall on Memorial Day. It’s gonna suck to try and do ANYTHING, haha!
Paisley
said,
May 25, 2007 at 8:42 pm
That last picture is so adorable.
This was a great post! I also have a wonderful man. It’s amazing how finding true love can change your life.
Rhi
said,
May 25, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Why was the song Wide Open Spaces going through my head as I read that?
I loved the wedding photos, so there.
Lindsey
said,
May 25, 2007 at 11:31 pm
That is adorable and I LOVE the picture of you and the king!! Sooo romantic!
By the way, love the new look of your blog.
Lizarita
said,
May 26, 2007 at 2:34 am
I may have cried a little while reading this.
SJ
said,
May 26, 2007 at 4:49 am
What a sweet post! And the pictures are awesome, especially the second one.
Here’s to Memorial Day weekend and great love stories!
jen from boston
said,
May 27, 2007 at 5:11 am
seriously cute picture with your husband. Love original shots like that, too.
Durga
said,
May 27, 2007 at 12:44 pm
The last line is very deep.
Thank you for sharing this memory.
p.s I really like the new layout.
Lizzy
said,
May 28, 2007 at 2:36 am
LOVE. THIS. POST.
LOVE IT!
What wonderful photos of you and the King. And what a wonderful imagine in my mind of you and the King driving off in your Civic!
Lisa B
said,
May 28, 2007 at 3:02 am
This is a fantastic post. Can’t stop smiling at such a touching story. Can’t WAIT to meet YOU!
Great photos too!
Anth
said,
May 29, 2007 at 2:21 am
Aww, how sweet! Also love that last pic (of course)! You’re so thoughtful - I don’t think it would have occurred to me to write loving messages to my family before I left.
(I wasn’t sad to leave the familial home, had no eternal companion to jaunt around with - was just thrilled to be going to college. Does that make me a hose-beast?)
La Turista
said,
May 29, 2007 at 4:13 am
So sweet. I get the same the way around the Christmas holidays because T-Bone and I met and got engaged a year later on December 15, we got married on New Year’s Eve the year after that, and Peach was born December 30 two years later. Lots of fun stuff to celebrate that month.
Carrisa
said,
May 29, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Wow look at all your fans. I would also love to know more about your wedding. Got more pics?
Amy W
said,
May 29, 2007 at 4:17 pm
I love that last picture too, that probably pretty much sums up how happy you were and still are!
angela
said,
May 29, 2007 at 11:35 pm
You guys are so cute in your pics! Happy anniversary of your awesome new life.