Fragabond

It has taken much longer than I would like to get another Fragabond post up, and I sincerely apologize to all five of you ☺︎ The main culprits for this delay were 1) a deeply refreshing and full 4-day solo-trip HOME to meet and cuddle the newest members of our “framily,” and 2) schoolwork requiring more time than I expected….in part because I completely ignored it during said trip and have been playing catch up…

The trip was life-giving. I was honestly not expecting much – I was feeling comfortable in Ouray, enjoying the time away, and after a painful travel experience involving a redirected flight, a missed connection, and a $300 hotel bill in Dallas, I was seriously questioning whether it was worth it. Well, it was. In 4 short days I got to:

• Watch my mom teach a class and manage the new coffee shop she and her business students opened at TKA. The coffee is GOOD, and my mother is uniquely gifted – her students speak and interact with her in such a special way. She is patient and they respect her, and they are also so comfortable with her. They obviously feel safe and happy and loved and challenged. She is Mrs. Spell and Momma, and she is remarkable.
• Have an extended dinner-turned-coffee with my incredible in-laws who listen to me talk about myself too much and have the wisest advice on everything. We ate saltwater fish and it was lovely and refreshing.

• HOLD BABIES. Multiple, and for as long as I could. I have never been very enthusiastic about either children or pets, and I still feel strongly anti-pet…but these beautiful new people that are made of the folks I love the most in the world are different. I see them and I love them, and I can’t imagine who they will be in 5 years, or 25. I marvel at the fact that there is a God that does know and that he gave them to my people, so in a way, they are mine too. Welcome to the circus, babes ♥︎

• Meet the TA for one of my MBA courses, who happens to live in Gardens! We ate lunch at Lynora’s, and it was nice to put a face to an online MBA experience. P.S. – have you had the Insalata Rustica at Lynora’s? Add chicken. Wow, so good.
• Visit the new Salty Donut location in downtown WPB with my (big) little brother, Ethan. The verdict from us both: Jupiter Donuts is better value, better vibes. Will argue with anyone.
• Enjoy a lovely ladies’ night out with my sweet friends Liz and Kim. It was an honor to share in Kim’s first mom’s night out. Cheers, my friend – you are doing so awesome.
• Squeeze 2 Fittown workouts in, obviously.
• Watch college football opening weekend with Ethan and Grandad and Momma. Alabama won by 55…zzzzzzz….Go Noles.

There was even more, but those are the highlights. It was amazing, and I am now officially homesick after the reminder of what home holds. It was hard to leave again, but while I was away, Zack was driving himself (and all of our crap) to Golden, CO. The Fragabond adventure continues! I know this time is special and that we will always remember the adventure, but I was also reminded last week that my heart belongs to my people, not the wilderness.

-Katie