Visiting NJ

Since moving to PA seven months ago, I've only been back to NJ twice and both of those trips were within the first month of moving. To be honest, I haven't had any desire to go back. I may have called Monmouth County home for almost 15 years, but I was ready to leave. I'd had enough of the traffic, the craziness, and the attitudes of people in general. I longed for the quieter, simpler life I had grown up with. Thankfully, Andy wanted the same.

However, there are things that I miss, and I knew I would. Mostly people, a restaurant or two, and my favorite outdoor shopping area. Yesterday, I ended up back in the old stomping grounds, spending the day in Ocean Grove at the beach and walking around. Course stepping out of the car into a heat index of 115 made me wonder how crazy I really was to be outdoors, but I had taken the day off at the last minute to come visit with Robyn and her sisters. Robyn was one of the first people I met when I moved to NJ and she has been a true friend - through good and bad, never judging, just supporting. Driving back, listing to DMB I couldn't help but remember all the wonderful times our crazy group of friends had during our 20s. To say I was waxing nostalgic would've been an understatement.

As I left Robyn's house last night, I took a minor detour past the old house, the roads I drove daily, and the stores I always visited. It was a very strange feeling and I'm not sure I could put my finger on it. Something so comfortable, familiar, and almost a part of me and yet not. These roads that my car knew almost by heart and yet I was just passing by, not stopping, not a part of it anymore. I actually kind of missed it all - something that I never thought would've been possible.

Maybe, even though I hate to admit it, there's a tiny bit of Jersey girl in me after all????