A look into the past and future...

Hello lovely blog readers, whomever you are. I have been listening to an abundance of music at home, which is not unusual. (If you have any music suggestions, feel free to bestow me with advice.) However, I have been trying to find some oldies but goodies that I haven't listened to in ages. You know those mixed CDs that you have had for years, and you have forgotten what is on them for whatever reason...I stumbled upon one of those tonight amidst some CDs that I had just about forgotten that I owned. It has some songs on it that strike a strong, bitter, and sweet remembrance of things past. Sometimes it amazes me how strong of a hold music can have on the memories we have from a former time. Do you think there will come a time when I will listen and not remember the events that flash between my eyes now as I listen? Have you forgotten memorable songs that once held so much esteem--sadness or happiness--in your life?

I'll move now from a brief glimpse into the past to a bright future on the horizon...a wedding to come and many more trips to Chicago. You may have noticed, if you read my blog from the beginning, that I was just in Chicago for part of December and January. A short time later, and here we are in May--Chicago in the early spring (early spring for Chicago at least). I think this past trip may have been one of the best trips to Chicago that I have ever had--for more reasons than I can name here. It came at just the point in my life where I needed to get away and needed to be refreshed. I have been to Chicago over the past 6 years more times than I can count on both my hands; it's a second home to me. It holds a special place in my heart and probably always will. For maybe the first time ever, I appreciated it for the city it is and the people I get to be with while I'm there, without longing to move away from where I am now. For maybe the first time ever, I came home truly appreciating my time away in a wonderful big city (with my bestfriend, her family, and fiance) and equally appreciating my life in Durham.

Some Chicago Cubs fans out-and-about...

Southport...

The future wedding-goers...

In front of the BEST frozen custard place EVER!

I know you wanted a close-up of me and Al...

Al's beautiful engagement ring...

See you soon Alison and Chris!! :)