This might be one of the most exciting and wonder-filled pieces I’ve ever had the pleasure of writing. I scribed with such feverish anticipation and love and enjoyment that I felt I might burst into a thousand stars. I remember imagining the scenarios and loving the fantasy of how I hope things will turn out…
My dears, for those who don’t yet know, I’M GOING TO AMERICA! Not now, but in Autumn, and I will finally meet those friends face-to-face, whose characters and presences and – yes, their friendships – have been a day-today part of my world for (in many cases) YEARS.
I. Cannot. Wait.
I am THEE most excited about this trip.
So it is my great honour and pleasure to dedicate this post to the friends I’m planning to meet when I’m there: Precious, Kristi, Ivy, Clark, Sarah, Dana, Denise, Lisa, Kitty, Christine, Joy-to-my-world, Dyanne, Sunset, Jesi, Beth, Mandi, My DA, Gretchen, the rest of the Sisterwives, and anyone else I manage to score a moment with along the way.
SO excited. SRSLY. And kind of thrilled to pieces, because Andra Watkins (she of multiple books and one epic trek along the Natchez Trace) was looking for guest pieces about making memories, and it was simple – even though this hasn’t happened yet, it’s going to be a trip which will cement friendships forever and leave happy memories for the rest of my life.
It’s going to be a game-changer – guaranteed.
COME ON OVER AND READ ‘No Wires Required’
Click to buy Andra’s book on Amazon.com
P.S. Look out for an upcoming ‘A Slip of the Lit’ interview with Andra, SOON!
EPIC is the word, lovely!! That’s a pretty long list of heart-to-hearts.
If you have room for one more while you’re in Chi-town, let me know.
Under the same sky,
Dani
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Ohhhh WILL YOU BE THERE? Chi will be a flying visit but that would be SO TOTALLY AWESOME
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I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago, but if you tell me where to be and when…I’ll make it happen, sweet one.
AHHHHHHHH!!
In the Real??
Seriously?!?!? ❤
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YES that would be amazing! WOW. I’ll find out when I’m going to be there and let you know FO SHO! *excited*
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Love it!! Can’t wait to hear back, sweetie. I’m Beyond…
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We should talk dates and details pretty soon, no? I think there are some transport things to figure out when you whizz through here.
So. Exciting.
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Yes!!! That would be brilliant. Are you around later today? I should be around tonight and will seek you out. Sending you a double-dose of *hugs*, my friend – you seem to be going through some discombobulation right now 😦
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I’m at the school today and then an errand. Probably around later afternoon/evening here and of course always late. Around pretty much of the weekend, too. The calendar is actually empty for a change.
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Woo hoo!!! Is it your first trip here? Which state(s) are you hitting? Very excited for you!
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YES my very first ever! I am SO EXCITED.
I’m whizzing through (readysteadyGO!) NY, NJ, VA, MD, MA, PA, OH, IN, IL, MO, OK, TX and FL *falls down*
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Two words…Holy. Shit. I’m from here and haven’t been to that many states! And only 3 of the ones you’re visiting. How long is your trip??? You’re cray cray. Also, I’m very impressed you know all those acronyms. Some people here don’t even know them all!
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P.S. I love seeing what time it is there when I post comments. It’s 4:13pm now in Cali. Next trip you must visit Disneyland and I will swing by. I’m down the street 🙂
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Hehehe I like that it shows English time, too. And I will certainly visit Cali on my next trip but I will be too busy with PEOPLE for Disneyland. I’d love to meet you
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Three weeks…and it’s going to be a WHIRLWIND and I can’t wait. And I learned the acronyms on purpose 😉
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So happy for you, Lizzi! Have a wonderful time!
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Thanks so much – I’m DEFINITELY going to 😀
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Looking forward to reading all about it! Still sad that you can’t make it to the west coast!
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That’s my NEXT trip 😉
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Are you, perchance, going to be west of the Mississippi anytime during your trip? *Breaks out a map and begins to calculate driving times*
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(where’s the Mississippi? and…er…I’m not going to be very West of anywhere 😦 )
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Not even Texas? It’s so big, it’s practically the whole country!
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In TX I’m going to be east of Dallas. Where the heck are YOU? :p
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I’m in New Mexico – which is right next door to Texas. It’s about 650 miles and 10 hours driving time from here to Dallas.
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BER-LIMEY! That’s not a small distance *sigh* I’m not worth that. Will have to see if there’s another way, maybe another time, but DAMN Murican geography…
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America needs you to pollenate it! Particularly this little town near Boston, Massachusetts. One special honeybee would love to have you visit her hive. 🙂 🙂
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Hmmmm I *might* be coming near Mass…will have to figure it out. Do you have the potential to roadtrip a ways? Not sure where I’ll get to but will definitely let you know, as I would adore the chance to meet you in person, Honeybee 😀
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I swear I feel like one of my long lost sisters is finally coming HOME to me!!! The kids will bring it up like you are their aunt… “When Lizzi comes, I want to miss school cause that’s not fair!!” Little snippets like this all the time!!!
It will be the BEST visit ever. I am totally making them go to school… and I think you are coming here on a weekend anyway. lol I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!
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Ummmm I can’t remember…lemme look…hang on *muzak* Nope – Thursday and Friday by my count…so I guess they’ll just have as much of me as they can get, and then in school hours, I’M ALL YOURS (which works for me 😉 ) I LOVE that they’re excited, too! Poor Derek…
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I’m so excited I can’t stand it! And it will be here before you know it! Eeeeeeekkkkkk! ❤ ❤ ❤ (and I am so so grateful and overjoyed that I am one of the lucky few who get to see you!) I love my sweet Lizzi! ❤
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I KNOW! The months are spinning past and it’s nearly MAY already! I can hardly believe it! And I’m so, SO happy that I get to meet you, G – do you know any more detail yet about what’s happening? ❤ *hugs you tight*
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awesome…. never to miss an epic party!
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Indeed not, indeed not 🙂
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(the nation of clarks watches from the shadows, with smiles of identification and hope growing quietly on our faces)
… me, on the other hand, will be totally here… ‘surrounded by Wakefield” (as the computer generated female actually says to welcome callers on the Drive)
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YAAY! We need to work out betwixt you, Ivy and Kristi how/where we’re going to meet – at the moment the best option seems to be to meet in the middle of all three of us, though I’m not sure (geographically) where that would put us…
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Well, if you get anywhere near NJ, Jen and I will take a road trip.
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I think I’m starting in NJ but not sure how long I’m there for…I will DEFFO let you know – it would be amazing to see you both 😀
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You’re really going to be here – yippeeeeeee!
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I am SO excited 😀 Thrilled to pieces it’s really happening.
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eeeeeeeeeeep!!!!!
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I KNOOOOOOWWWWWW
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Hey, I’m going to be in Seattle in May end, too. Will be there for at least a month. Any chance our dates clash?
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Isn’t Seattle west coast? I’m staying east this time but hope to come back to Murica another time if at all possible.
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Enjoy!
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Thank you – I think it’s going to be amazing.
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I was just discussing your trip with my mom. She wants to meet you, and she is willing to drive here to do it. 🙂
I’ve been on the Natchez trace. It’s beautiful.
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Oh WOW! I will be on my absolutely the best behaviour. That would be so cool 🙂
I bought Andra’s book on Kindle but need to actually READ it – I’ve not yet, and I don’t know what a Natchez trace *is* so I’m looking forward to finding out 🙂
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Me! Me! See me! Chicago is beautiful in the fall!
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I’m coming briefly to Chi to meet Joy, so we could definitely see if we can meet up and hang out for a bit – that would be AWESOME 😀
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It would be amazing if we could meet up with Chrissy!!! We must drive to the city, it IS so beautiful especially in Fall!
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Chrissy,
My email is comfytown@gmail.com
Email me with times/places, I will be there!
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