Saying Goodbye

Showered and dressed, I sit by the window in the big blue comfy chair and write this. The patter of the shower and the drizzling rain surround me. In a few minutes we’ll say goodbye to Wendy and Jax, pack the car one last time, and drive south through the city, into the suburbs. IKEA opens early on Monday mornings, thank god. Vibhu’s been dying to try their breakfast since he was first blown away by the quality and prices of their food back in Toronto. Eggs, potatoes, and sausage for a dollar. We have yet to enjoy their breakfasts, so today’s the day.

There’s an uneasy pit in my stomach, a lump in my throat that is working its way into tears. I don’t want to say goodbye. I don’t want to be apart from my best friend for 7 weeks. But with him getting on that plane, it’s a new start. Going home means finally launching his company, drinking chai and eating his mama’s cooking until sleep in the only remedy, and preparing for our wedding and our future. For me, going home means spending time with the people I’ve missed most over the past 18 months (and meeting a new addition!), being a part of my sister’s transition to college, and finally getting to eat the black bean veggie burrito at Guadalajara.

So here’s to tough transitions. To those bittersweet times when you don’t want to leave the people and places that are so special to you, but know that there’s joy and happiness and great things waiting for you on the other side.