My visit last week to Virginia was a lot of fun. I haven’t spent a week in my hometown in a while. I think the last time I spent an entire week there was when I lived in Virginia for the summer of 2013. It was nice to relax and see friends. I also got a lot of very much needed wedding stuff done. With all of things I have gotten done wedding wise, I might get married.
Where to even begin?
I arrived to Virginia late Christmas Eve. It’s hard to believe that was 2 weeks ago. I drove home from work and then spent Christmas day relaxing and hanging out with my family. It was exactly what I needed. While I don’t live in Virginia, Virginia is still home.
In the days after Christmas, I did a lot. Instead of writing too much, ’ll just caption photos.
I was able to hang out with one of my bridesmaids, Theresa. We went to a (new to us) Mexican restaurant Luna Maya. Their portions were massive and if you visit Norfolk, VA, I would recommend the restaurant. In fact, I want to visit Virginia again so I can go.
I got to hang out with another Bridesmaid, Anna. Anna and I have been friends for over 13 years (that is over half our lives!). It’s crazy to think that. She is truly one of the best friends I could ask for. After undergrad, Anna taught in China for two years and recently moved back to the US to work on grad school. While we don’t live close, it’s a lot closer than halfway around the world. She has been one of my best friends for 13 years now and it was so lovely to catch up with her.
After more relaxing, wedding planning and doing absolutely nothing, I got lunch with Kris L and Kellie. Most Virginia Beach runners know what powerhouse runners these woman are. Not only are they both insanely fast, but they are both insanely nice. We went to a local favorite and (Virginia diner?) Citrus on Christmas Eve. They are two of my favorite people to talk training, life and whatever else with.
The of course, I also did two local road races (I’m sure I’ve spammed my blog enough with them):
12/31 11:15 pm Beat the Ball 5k
1/1 10 am: Hair of the Dog 5k
This week vacation was exactly what I needed. It broke up the month the month of December and it made it fly by. I feel like I was just leaving New Jersey and now I’m back.
While my “homecation” was relaxing, I got a lot of much needed stuff done on my wedding too. I was starting to feel nervous (due to doing nothing in December) but I got a lot accomplished last week. It also made the wedding as a whole become more real! I’ll have a wedding update at some point. Long story short, I’ve gone to the first vendor of each category…said what I have wanted and they have done a great job. I have no stress or complaints.
Questions for you:
Do you visit your hometown a lot?
How were your Holidays?
It’s funny. I have lived in Colorado for almost 16 years now. However, when people ask me where I am from, I always answer “well, I am FROM Wyoming, but I live in Colorado.” I don’t get back to Jackson Hole too often. Even though Wyoming is Colorado’s neighbor, the trip to Jackson takes about eight hours!
Now that I’m back on the east coast, my home town is only 3 hours away, but I have never visited much. There’s really nothing left for me back there. It’s nice around the holidays when other friends are home too but for the most part it holds no appeal. Sorry mom…
That beat the ball photo makes me smile every time! So glad we were able to catch up for a long lunch date while you were home. Lets make it a tradition.
It should always be a tradition. Then when you come to Philadelphia it can be a tradition too! LOL
I second Kris and saying it should be a tradition for sure! I always have so much fun with yall!!
It looks like you had a great trip home. Froyo, Mexican, diners, holidays, family, and road races, sounds like a great week to me :). I don’t go to visit my parents very much, but there’s not a whole lot to do there (nor do I really have any friends there from high school), although I wish my family came to visit me more often…
It’s so weird to say this, but I don’t feel like I have a hometown! We moved so much growing up and Utah (where my family lives) definitely doesn’t feel like him – so I guess for me, home is where my family is!
Sounds like fun–there is NOTHING better than a friend you’ve had since childhood. I am still close with mine from second grade and we live two states apart. I don’t go “home” often these days, but when I do, it’s nice to have a good stretch of time to catch up with everyone. Glad you got friend time and wedding planning time in!
How exciting 🙂 about the wedding.! I actually live in my hometown, I moved a little while away, but came back. I can’t help it, I just love the small town feel so much. A homcation sounds fun.
I grew up on Long Island and have lived in upstate NY now about half my life. In 2014 I/we made many trips to Da Island. This is a double edged sword for me. I love my family dearly but I despise Long Island. After living in upstate for so long I am spoiled. No traffic, cost of living is soooooooo much cheaper and I and my wife have great jobs. We don’t have to ride the dreaded LIRR our commute is short. I drive 8 miles to work and she drives 1.5 miles.
So even though I enjoy my family I do not like going to visit. Many less trips in 2015!
I love Luna Maya. i always get nostalgic for the 757 when I read your posts, since I grew up in Norfolk and it took me until college to really appreciate it. 😀 I always try to do a race when I’m down there.
Me too. I feel like I really started to appreciate it once I left. Are you going down for any races anytime soon?
Shamrock Half in March!
Going and just hanging out around your parents can be so nice! I’m glad I live near mine, but seeing Jon’s family is always nice and I actually like it when I spend a night over at my mom and dad’s (which rarely happens). Something about sleeping in the room I went to high school in! I’m glad your wedding stuff is getting organized! I did mostly everything the week before and it turned out fine, so don’t stress 🙂
i’d go anywhere for great Mexican food! I don’t get home as often as I like but it’s fun to make the most of it and see as many people as you can! 🙂 and yay wedding!!!!
So I’ve lived in the same city for my whole life, so my definition of “going home” involves making the 20 minute drive to my parents’ place 😆 I do wish I could say the same of my childhood friends, though… since a lot of them ended up moving away for family/work and I almost never get to see them.
Glad to hear that you had some enjoyable holidays while still managing to get some wedding stuff done. A good mix of rest and productivity is my favourite.
So happy you had a productive and relaxing time at home! I spent eight days in good ol’ Upstate, which is the longest I’ve been there since college. It was really nice to have enough time to unwind and see my family.
Looks like a nice trip back home!! I go to my hometown a lot since my parents still live there. As much as I talk a big game about making a big move, I think I’ll be sticking around these frigid parts for a while. :/
You can do it! The warm awaits!
I actually do not visit my hometown very much at all despite living only 30 minutes away. I did go to my parent’s house for Christmas and it was nice. It was just enough to enjoy the whole time I was there and also made me glad I moved away. My holidays were great, busy, relaxing and fun. What is your favorite diner in your hometown?
It’s kind of nice to go back to your hometown for a little while. We visit our parents there during quarter breaks but otherwise not often.
That’s so cool you were able to spend a whole week at home!
I actually got to go home for the first time in a year and a half for a few ays over New Years and it was seriously the best thing ever!
Also, your friend Ana is kind of my Hero!