Every time we return to
Seattle Chad and I feel the same spark of nostalgia (it's actually more like a flame). This time it ignited as we rode the light rail in from the airport (a first for us in Seattle). First through less familiar neighborhoods down south, then right up near the stadium.
It continued as we later inched the car up neighborhood streets crowded with parked cars. “We’re home.” What a confusing feeling – it’s been a couple of years since our East Coast community came to feel like home. But
Seattle definitely still wields a profound sense of comfort and familiarity for us. Perhaps it always will.
Itineraries for earlier visits to the
Emerald City sported long lists of restaurants and parks; as much as we still love the food and fun, these days friends come first. It’s great to see how even after several years’ absence, the kids bond instantly with old friends.
This visit included our annual camping friends (who we’ll miss this summer) as well as others we hadn’t seen since Chad and Ben toted 4-month-old Arwen and Sophia in the front packs on a frigid
Chicago day. How gratifying it is to see friendships we value so much continuing into the next generation.
The unfortunately timed vacation of some friends scored us some beautiful, kid-friendly accommodations, complete with a full array of toys new to our kids. Arwen ran gleefully out every morning to gather eggs from the resident chickens, and Gavin helped break in the front yard swing for a new season.
The one thing Gavin and Arwen said they most wanted to do in
Seattle was to see a Mariners game. So they jumped on a bus with Chad and watched the home team get slaughtered (that is, until they gave up the game for the playground, a move which previous experience had prepared Chad for).
Worshipping with our old congregation is always such a profound experience for me. The familiar chapel and faces bring back the learning and feelings of what were such formative years for Chad and me. Where we first attended church after being married, where Gavin and Arwen were both blessed, where we learned to love and serve new kinds of people. This Sunday back I managed to snag a seat next to my friend Janet, who in a brief exchange shared some beautiful words of wisdom that will always stay with me. How we love the people of the Seattle 7
th Ward.
More time with friends – a walk to the park catching up with the family of a friend who attended Gavin’s birth, spying ducklings with a great lover of children at a favorite old haunt, staying up late chatting with girlfriends over tea and while packing, and spending a heartfelt couple of hours over dinner with a dear friend whose weekly Green Lake walks have been replaced by regular calls. Chad had a reunion of his own with his original game night crew, and we both managed to reconnect with some old friends from work.
Seattle, we love you!
Every time we return to 
It continued as we later inched the car up neighborhood streets crowded with parked cars. “We’re home.” What a confusing feeling – it’s been a couple of years since our East Coast community came to feel like home. But 
Itineraries for earlier visits to the 
This visit included our annual camping friends (who we’ll miss this summer) as well as others we hadn’t seen since Chad and Ben toted 4-month-old Arwen and Sophia in the front packs on a frigid 
The unfortunately timed vacation of some friends scored us some beautiful, kid-friendly accommodations, complete with a full array of toys new to our kids. Arwen ran gleefully out every morning to gather eggs from the resident chickens, and Gavin helped break in the front yard swing for a new season.
The one thing Gavin and Arwen said they most wanted to do in 
Worshipping with our old congregation is always such a profound experience for me. The familiar chapel and faces bring back the learning and feelings of what were such formative years for Chad and me. Where we first attended church after being married, where Gavin and Arwen were both blessed, where we learned to love and serve new kinds of people. This Sunday back I managed to snag a seat next to my friend Janet, who in a brief exchange shared some beautiful words of wisdom that will always stay with me. How we love the people of the Seattle 7th Ward.
More time with friends – a walk to the park catching up with the family of a friend who attended Gavin’s birth, spying ducklings with a great lover of children at a favorite old haunt, staying up late chatting with girlfriends over tea and while packing, and spending a heartfelt couple of hours over dinner with a dear friend whose weekly Green Lake walks have been replaced by regular calls. Chad had a reunion of his own with his original game night crew, and we both managed to reconnect with some old friends from work.
1 comment:
What a trip- I so relate to that confused feeling. It reminds me of the final book in the Chronicles of Narnia- when they see Aslan's country and realize that Narnia's special place in their hearts was only because it reminded them of there. Random, I know!
So glad you all had a good trip- Eric will be taking the kids to see his parents in July and hopes to stop in Seattle...I was sad to have to miss out, but am looking forward to the reason!
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