The two go hand in hand.
I went to Nashville for the day and it's almost a gorgeous blur now, because it was over because I knew it'd begun. Me and my parents went to an old plantation to tour, called The Belle Meade, which means Beautiful Meadow in French. It was border-lining on magical, and I just about melted away into the atmosphere when I saw a small garden of white daisies. The carriage house made me feel like I was in a time machine and the high noon sun falling through the Magnolia and Oak trees made me weak in the knees.
I also went to Rainforest Cafe and still felt excited walking in and hearing the reggae music, feeling the mist fall from the vine-covered ceiling. Who couldn't be happy in this place? Especially when you're drinking a banana, strawberry smoothie and eating fish tacos. It's beyond words, guys.
Then we headed to the Opry to see a show, and though I didn't pull my camera out because it was a little claustrophobic in there (alright, I wanted to run into a corner), the performances were really something else. Jimmy Wayne was there, and though I'd heard of him a little and knew the songs he sang, I didn't appreciate him until last night. Man, he is incredible. Talk about taking to heart what Jesus said about giving the shirt off your back. Look him up. I love this guy.
Then it was time for home. I curled up in the back seat and felt like a little girl for awhile, hearing my parents talk, feeling perfectly safe with a blanket and hoodie under my head, eventually drifting off without a single worry. No matter how old you get those moments of untainted happiness still show up every now and then-- I didn't expect that. Let me just suffice it to say, whoever said you can't go home should have done some serious fact checking first.
I wish I could go out to coffee and book shopping today, with each and every one of y'all. Since I can', I'm sending a hug. <3
