Fried Food and Friendship

On Monday I made a paper chain. It is constructed of troop-supporting yellow construction paper and it is woven through my kitchen banisters like garland. If you don't know what a paper chain is, think back to Kindergarten when you were counting down to a specific event, like Christmas or the last day of school. You might have stapled or even glued the skinny strips together to form links around one another. Every week I am tearing one off. One down, 43 to go!


Last week was filled with endless support from friends and family. Justin's mother stayed in town with me until Wednesday. On Monday night we made it over to Wallace Station Fried Chicken Night, a must for bluegrass area dwellers- but diners be warned, it's only open for dinner on Mondays. It is seriously the best fried chicken you will ever eat, and made of local, organic ingredients to boot!

On Thursday I received an invitation to have dinner with some new friends. While enjoying dinner together on the patio at Harry's, we were met with a cast of interesting characters, all who decided to park themselves right behind my barstool. First, a heavily intoxicated wild-haired and middle-aged divorcee (I'm guessing). Her lips couldn't find the straw she was using to drink her double-fisted bloody marys, and after being forced to pay her bar tab and vacate the premises, she began to shout uncontrollably about the fact that she had, just three months ago, gone home with a well-known coach in the area. As if that wasn't enough to keep us in stitches for the night, an older man sat down in her place. He proceeded to feed his shitzu from his own fork, and even shared dessert with the little mongrel! If this is what my summer is going to be like, I will be thoroughly entertained!

Over the weekend, I traveled to Atlanta to see my old friend Jessica. We grew up in Marietta, Georgia together. I will never forget the first time I met her. I had won a trip to McDonald's and was being escorted by my most favorite teacher in the world, Mrs. Sibyl Gore. But when I went to get into the back seat of her little white Acura, there sat a smiley-faced brunette who looked about my age. Who was this intruder? She was interfering with my field trip! I was teacher's pet for the moment, and now I had to share my time? In the end, it didn't take long for us to warm up to one another. By the time we pulled out of my neighborhood, we were already scheming for Mrs. Gore to take us to Showbiz Pizza. And here we are... 22 years later. Wow.

Jessica had a baby less than two weeks ago (doesn't she look great?). When we planned the trip, we thought he would be about a month old. But he was two weeks late! Lucas Merritt wasn't ready to make his appearance. He made a surprise debut into her life the same way she made it into mine. Like mother like son.

While in Atlanta, we visited the restaurant owned by my TV crush and Top Chef contestant, Richard Blais. I really can't think of a better concept than that of a gourmet burger joint that serves Krispy Kreme Milkshakes. You heard me. He puts the donut into the milkshake. It might be what Heaven tastes like if you get to taste it. I ordered the "Southern," which consists of a deep-fried beef patty, pimiento cheese, and green tomato ketchup. Again, Heaven. http://www.flipburgerboutique.com/

I am coping with any sadness by relishing in good food and even better friendships. I am learning how to enjoy things again independently. Because Justin doesn't leave the States until this coming Wednesday, I have been able to talk to him at least twice a day. It has been an unexpected surprise that has helped us cope with the first week of this journey. Our relationship is thriving and we are amazed at how quickly the first week went by. While there is still a long road ahead of us, we have both enjoyed our time. There is no other choice than to confront these moments and learn how to make the very best of them. God is so good. I never believed I could be this happy one week after sending him off to war. The only explanation I have? God has a paper chain of His own. I don't have to know what the links entail, but I have faith that there's one on the end that means a Homecoming.