+here i'm allowed anything all of the time

Routines and the benefit of them, beautiful campus facilities, music that drives me, frozen yogurt in the dining hall, power napping, choosing wisely, fabric for my office, patience and promise, reminders of focusing on God, seeking wise counsel.

+the sweet symphony that's life

Program connections, retreats, bunk beds, re-learning mafia, circle time and time to ask the real things, deeper talks, realizations, conversations, flexibility, being myself and putting it out there, sweet connections in eye glances.

+do you know what true romance is? and could you show me now?

Setting up my very own office, more food than could possibly ever be eaten, feasts, seasonal fruits, emphasis on the local at the big-state, stringed instruments, a love for the extraordinary, organizational needs, the way the red rooftops reflect as the sun sets.

+just what would be the chances I could tell you now

Letters and remembrance, cinnamon stick smell, wheat state, the forming, the fresh starts but old baggage, crazy realizations, new life.

+like a bird in a cage i broke in and demanded that somebody free it

"If you're loved by someone you're never rejected - decide what to be and go be it." -The Avett Brothers

The continued wanderings, staff gatherings, beginning connections, the color green, sweet flow-y dresses, the postal service, snail mail x one-thousand, feeling simultaneously young and old, beautiful facilities, long walks, deeply vested relationships.

+melting flakes of snow will catch you when you fall

Adventures with brand new friends, sleeping in, uncharted time, garmins, sunsets over the hill, realizing how close it is to get to Nebraska and various other states that seem so foreign, citrus drinks.

+no longer do we wonder if we're together, we're way passed that

Endless coffee & endless nice people, canvassing, the east/west battle, sister-talks, becoming acquainted, impromtu hang outs and soft ball game watching, fitting and feeling right, perfect lighting / fan blowing / comfy bed to fall asleep soundly in.

+give my body back to the earth and not complain

Crossing over state borders, apples & coffee, feeling like a weight had been lifted, farmland, fields, lower temperatures, 20 minutes to move, confidence in forward motion, big fluffy pizza, shelves, patience, saying what I wanted to say.

+i want to have friends who love me for the man i've become not the man that i was

Packed cars, good music mixes, good friends all gathered in one place, support and love and encouragement, notes and thoughtfulness, beginning, tears of every emotion known to man (it seems), watching the odometer climb and climb and climb, big beds at the end of the road.

+cause they just wanna leave; i wish that i could stay

Caedmon's Call:

But if I must go,
Things, I trust, will be better off without me.
But I don't want to know.
Life is better off a mystery.

So keep'em coming, these lines on the road.
And keep me responsible, be it a light or heavy load.
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise.
And I'll walk with grace, my feet, and faith my eyes.

Hometown weather is on TV.
I imagine the lives of the people living there,
and I'm curious if they imagine me.
Cause they just wanna leave; I wish that I could stay.

...and I'll walk with grace, my feet, and faith my eyes.

+just give me a try

I love details like this.... ones that find in the pockets of my coat:

+first tell me which path you will choose

Manuals & coffee, finding deals left and right, witty-ness all day long, mind-boggling movies, tasty fresh ingredients, long nights of conversing and discovery.

+i love it all, i want you back

Goldfish, backseat texting, homemade gardens, big creeks, rope swings, flat rocks to skip, laughing real genuine laughs, engaging personalities, appetizer feasts, language hurdles, not knowing what time it is.

+i'll rest my eyes to the rivers in the sea

Waking up at the Tsays, granola, characters, responsibilities, hot sun, too many endorphins, too much to eat, greek food, basil in anything, moon risings, observations, long walks and long talks, trails, local natives, jamming out in my car, good smelling air fresheners, typings.

+you took the time to sit and look it up in the encyclopedia

How cute a morning can be, just time, mandolin numbers, his patience, cardio mood improvement, siblings and siblings-in-law, the invention of skype, porch swings, another week beginning, new bands, inspired to write, good lyrics.

+if i lose my faith, just remind me, just remind me

Feeling giddy and excited, cleaning and preparing, cute dresses, headbands, perfect hugs, tackling the talks and laughing about how long it's been, disposable wedding cameras, more certainty, perfect dinners, heels, movies that make us laugh out loud together, sleepy but so very perfectly happy.

+and you've got the moon

Braided pig tails, hiking gear, putting knowledge to good use, the way showers feel after conquering a couple of (almost) mountains, helping, catching up, mattress moving, bananagrams, double bonus, enjoying the company of wonderful friends.

+a box full of suggestions for you possible heart

Reinforced patience, moving the words from my head and heart to my tongue, freshly picked peaches and how every bit is perfect, the way photography looks in print as opposed to digitally - the realness in the ink, new recipes and being inventive, power naps, like no time has passed, o'henry's, a boyfriend who is adaptable constantly.

+have i still got you to be my sandy shore?

Sweet little endorphins, orange juice with ice cubes, ruffles, little phrases, walking, dancing reflected light, elegant up-dos, tasty new lunches with old friends, scary nights turned into beautiful moments, brothers in laws and sisters, new adventures in old settings, the real brand of honesty.

+when my shadow's longer, stay beside me til it's brighter

Learning new chords, back porch sitting,  hyper-communicative, my favorite color schemes, sweet smells, mustard-colored, lighting, retro-looking clocks, neat piles and boxes, milk&cereal, new recipes that are a hit at dinner time, the industry of good mixers, fresh air.

"When I close my eyes / I hope to find you / I hope to find you / When I leave my body / I want to be ready / willing like you were / I sat beside you then / I felt the warmth as it left your hands" -Glen Phillips

+rainy days and mondays

Josh Ritter mornings, patience, well-tailored clothing, definition, buttons and lace, picking out a planner, colors, cursive writing, ribbing, originality, the joy of cooking, punctuation, ireland.

+i need you here with me, not way over in a bucket seat

Magic muffins, him winning, street markets, fresh flowers for sale, watermelons, love and support, puppies and cats, keeping up and giving it full effort, huge salads, awesome rides, festivities, lights on trees, fans, second families, the looks of people content with each other, feeling sneaky, same-page-ing, trusting.

+and yes I wanna play. I really really do

Waking up to playful cats, granola, jogging trails that are chuck full of memories, dinner preparations, the sound of thunderstorms, planning it out well, cartoons via email, better communication than ever before, finishing edits and that feeling of finality, fresh fruit salads, cranberry red.

+and the moon's laying low in the sky

Homemade coffee in all its relaxation glory, the characters and unexpected plot lines, pushing hard, so many things done, working hard, ease, walks, sizes, good smells, sunshine, maps, beautiful blue, mosaics, hole-in-the-wall.

"And the world’s got me dizzy again
You think after 22 years I’d be used to the spin
And it only feels worse when I stay in one place
So I’m always pacing around or walking away"
 -Bright Eyes

+crawling back home again, stuck by the phone again

Gettin' stuff done, efficiency, post office trips and the lovely people who work there, goal-oriented, good food and baking, how much better the batter on the spoon tastes than the actual cookies, getting addicted to a new tv show, more sister and brother-in-law time: birmingham edition, so many possibilities, happy about the present and finally sorting through thoughts.

+come summer time, we're all the same age here

Last mornings, our favorite place to eat, hugging goodbye and full of smiles and love and all the unknowns, yummy cookouts and normalcy, having a place to land, the game of catch up and to-do lists, all my things being at my house again, easy sleep.

+so if you made it, just be glad that you did and stay there

Being fully myself, doing absolutely nothing, being a visitor, pool preparations and just spending time in the sun, surprise cups of sweet sonic drinks, time standing still, being obsessed with sweet ceces, precious time to actually talk about these things, cookouts and watching good fireworks on tv, oatmeal cookies, falling asleep to movies with my head on Devon's shoulder and realizing how rare that will be much too soon.

+we had a few drinks, we all felt inspired

Walking to the bakery, enjoying just the state of being with family who you don't see too often, fresh ground coffee and trading goods, the prospect of a new instrument, piles of artwork and canvases filled with my sister's creative thoughts, finding my own way, trying a new restaurant and feeling that pull that everything is going to keep going, having a friend to bathing suit shop with, spaghetti and good talks, friends all in one place in small little apartments, taking pictures with my brain to help me remember the feelings the sounds and the faces, all-in conversations, laughing until it hurts.

+cause even the sun strays, even the words turn good

Waking up to a sweet note from my sister as I drink my brother-in-law's coffee, days alone, bonding with a sweet dog, long walks, understanding that each city deserves to be learned for years and years, simple snacks, sitting outside, being a neighborhood kid, sleeping too much, understanding, tetris competitions, the ability to open up and just be.

+sing our songs though they're barely heard

Waking up at Sarah's, eating a yummy meal with good company, a new love of fruit tea?,  understanding and calming friends who love me despite my crazy crazy self, bicentennial mall and begging and pleaing my brain to never forget the emotions and love and support I feel at that moment, driving to louisville and feeling a sense of closure, handmade chinese food night with beer and great intersactions, sleeping early on my favorite couch.