Countdown

Sometimes it's hard to determine exactly when a journey begins. Sometimes we look back and it turns out with hindsight that whatever set things in motion goes much further back than we initially thought. Such is the case with this journey.
Was it when Emily picked up a magazine laying on the little table next to her poolside chaise lounge at last summer's vacation and read an article about a guy who was laid off and chose to travel the world on the cheap? Was it the day we realized we could make it happen? Was it the day we secured foster homes for both our dogs?
It could very well have been this past Sunday – June 27th – our wedding day – tHe most amazing day of our lives. And now, two days after the big event, in the glow that cannot be described to anyone who hasn't lived it, we begin the task of packing up our life in Los Angeles to depart July 13th.
While Emily looks at the work that goes into the physical packing of our worldly possessions, I think about making sure we have all the little things taken care of – like bank authorizations to ensure they don't freeze our cards when used abroad and packing enough Benadryl cream. Is there ever enough Benadryl cream? And of course making sure not to forget my beloved Balinese sarong which has traveled everywhere with me – even on short day trips – for the past nine years. You never know when you'll need a towel, blanket, turnicut, mop, or something to swaddle a baby being born on the side of a road. Anything can happen out in the world.
This next two weeks is its own adventure as we walk the highly elevated bridge from wonderful moment to wonderful moment, covered in a certain amount of sweat and toil. The hardest part is saying goodbye to the people we love who make our lives so special. Luckily, some of them will come visit us on the way.
So, as we enjoy the happiness and tears, we prepare this blog for the year to come. Countdown – 14 days.