Memories...

Rick bought the movie Savannah Smiles for me because he knows it was one of my favorites while growing up. We watched it tonight as a family and although watching it as an adult was a little different (I noticed the far fetched moments this time) it still warmed my heart and I still bawled like a baby at the end. I love this movie. The little girl is the cutest! And the fate of Boots and Alvie gets me every time.
Watching this movie was just another of many nostalgic moments that I've had these past two days. Yesterday we took a quick day trip down to "the valley" to meet with our Gilbert renters who are sadly moving out, and to hire a property management company to take care of the business of getting someone else in there (know anyone looking to rent a 5 bedroom 3000 sq foot home in Gilbert?). The meeting was in downtown Mesa and it was sad to see how many businesses are closed up and gone in that area. Fiesta Village is no more (I think it's been gone for awhile, but I never go over there). Rick and I had fun reminiscing about how that used to be the happening place. Cruising around the parking lot, checking out the hot guys (girls for Rick). Good times.
After the meeting we drove past my Grandpa and Grandma's old house. It was weird to see a new house built on the lot where my grandpa's amazing garden used to be, but it was still neat to see their house and the school across the street where Landon attended preschool.
From there we drove down Southern and I checked out my old high school as we zoomed past. Memories of driving my Karmann Ghia down that road everyday flooded my mind. Southern was my road. I know it so well. I couldn't help but ask Rick to drive me past my childhood home and of course he complied. It's hard for me to see my old home. I want so badly to pull into the long driveway, run inside and find my dad waiting for me. He is so much a part of that house. I can't help but feel that if only I could get inside I'd be transported back to a time when my family was everything and my dad was the hero of my world. If I could go back I would bring him a large glass of ice water (mostly ice with just a little water) and sit on his bed where we would visit for hours. I'm telling you it's the simple things...
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Later in the day we did a walk through at our Gilbert house. It was fun to see it again. Man I love the tile in that house, the dark counter tops and the warm paint colors, but seeing it again gave me a renewed appreciation for the custom feel of my new home. It has character and I like that.
Although I am getting used to small town living, "the valley" will always be home to me. I transform into my normal, familiar self there and it feels good. But I am starting to find and embrace my new normal here and you know, that feels pretty good too.