Back to Big D

I still have blog posts to write from before we left for Dallas, so I'll just dive in today and finish talking about my trip so I can move forward (or backward, as the case may be).

Dallas was great.  Truly great.  It was a more emotional trip than I was ready for in some ways, but I'm still processing things so it's hard to put into words.  They weren't bad emotions... in fact, most were really positive.  But when you go back and share life with people who really know you at your core, it's hard not to get at least a little emotional.

We barely stopped moving the whole time we were in town.  We went from one meeting or event to another with really great meals in between.  In fact, meals were a highlight of my trip.  I ate Mexican three times in two days, had a brisket sandwich (I truly miss Texas BBQ... Sorry, Tennessee natives), savored my Chicken Caesar Sandwich and pasta salad at La Madeleine, and had a divine Valentine's Day dinner at Bob's Steakhouse with my friend Erin and her boyfriend, John.

Everywhere we went I took pictures of my food, and I think Jim was partly amused and partly embarrassed.

Our old community group used to do a Valentine's Day dinner where the men cooked and cleaned dinner for the women.  It was so fun.  Most people had other plans this year, but our friends Doug and Marc cooked with Jim for Angelia, Susan, and me.  It was delicious and so nice to be pampered a little.

I am bummed that I don't have any pictures with Susan or Angelia.  I think I was too busy talking and enjoying our time together, but I do regret that I wasn't more intentional about taking pictures with them.

We scheduled our trip for Valentine's Day weekend so I could surprise one of my best friends on her birthday, but the surprise didn't quite work out.  Nevertheless it was awesome to finally meet her boyfriend who is an awesome guy.  I feel quite certain that they are the real deal and I will have many more years to get to know him better.

It was really fun to travel on Valentine's Day weekend because Southwest Airlines celebrates in full force.  Every counter and gate was decorated in the most crafty way... 

I didn't try to compose a good picture because the people at the gate thought I was taking a picture of them.  I didn't want to scare anyone.  But you get the idea.

Overall it was a memorable, special trip.  I am not waiting another three years to do it again.