il mio cuore sta sempre en firenze

This weekend took me on a trip down memory lane, in many ways. I spent the weekend in Massachusetts at my Mom's. For the first time in a long time, I went on my own. Brian decided to stay behind. Saturday morning I woke up early and made the three hour drive to Milford.

On the ride, I did a lot of much needed thinking and reflecting. It was nice to have a bit of quiet time to myself. (It was also pretty cool that Sirius radio now has an entire station devoted to Led Zeppelin.)

When I arrived in Milford, it took me a bit by surprise how beautiful it looked. The foliage was incredible. All the leaves had fallen and each yard I passed got more vibrant in color. I looked at my home town in an entirely different light. It charmed me and made me realize that I do love where I spent my childhood. I sincerely missed it.

When I got to Mom's, she wasn't home. I spent some time walking around the house looking at her photos and remembering. I love her home. I know I am always welcome there but it is strange how it no longer feels as though it is mine. My room is suddenly foreign to me. I've outgrown it. As I laid on my bed and stared out the window watching the windchime blow, I realized I wasn't a little girl anymore. I couldn't find sanctuary in that room and call it my own anymore.

The reason for my trip was to catch up with old friends. During my second, and unfortunately last, semester at Assumption College, I went abroad for a semester. The trip was called Foundations Program in Florence. It was an honors program that focused in Renaissance art and architecture. It truly was one of the best experiences of my life. It's been seven years since our trip. We decided it was time for all of us to have a reunion.

My favorite girls Jenna, Caitlyn and Trish met me at Mom's for some wine and appetizers before heading to Worcester. We were all a bit nervous sitting down to eat with people we hadn't seen in so long. We were curious and a bit apprehensive. A couple of glasses of wine took those jitters right away.

The night began at Professor Corrigan's house. We were to meet at his house before we went to Biagio's for dinner. Almost everyone, including our Professors, were in attendance. There were a few missing and ironically, this included the only three males on the trip. At first it was awkward. I think everyone was somewhat in shock. But soon, as the familar faces and smiles started to stream in, there were lots of hugs and laughs.

At dinner, everyone spoke of what they had done with their lives. Some had gotten married, some engaged, some bought their own home and were still single. The question then went around the table, "Are you actually using the degree that you went to school for?" Most talked of finishing their Master's and beginning their dream career. One girl even spoke of how she was almost finished with her PhD in Micro-Biology.

At first, I wanted to slink down in my chair and hide. But then, head held high, I stated how I did not have a degree. I never finished. I talked about falling in love and getting married to the most incredible man... That I live in New York and have a great job... And that I do plan on finishing my degree in journalism and photography.

I kind of made it up as I went along, but it never felt as final as when I said it outloud that night. I do want to go back to school. I do know what I want to do. And what- really- am I waiting for?

The rest of the night was full of laughs. The drunken stories of mischief started to surface. From getting lost with a full grocery cart of food and then tipping it over all over the sidewalk to jumping on our bed in Rome while throwing M&M's at the people below... it was all so real and so long ago.

I left the dinner with a lump in my throat. As I hugged everyone good-bye, it felt good to know I would see them again. That this little group of people would always have a lifelong connection. I am so grateful for that amazing time in my life and for being enlightened by such wonderfully accomplished and intelligent people.

Il mio cuore sta sempre en Firenze...