Spring time the only pretty ring time

I've always been a big fan of spring time. I mean, aside from people with horrid allergies, who isn't. We can finally put away the giant lumpy coats and bring the skirts out of the back of the closet. I really started to appreciate the spring when we lived in Virginia. There, the beginning of spring time is marked by a very beautiful blooming of the cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom trees were a gift from some Japanese guy a really long time ago (sorry, I'm not much of a historian) and they were planted around the tidal basin. They bloom for a few weeks in the very beginning of spring and every year an entire festival is planned around it. It usually draws a significant amount of people out. People come out and play Frisbee or just picnic. Now, truth be told, I've never been one for the parade and all that other hokey stuff, but I do so love to head down and just sit in the grass on a sunny day and just hang out...people watching and absorbing the pretty scenery. Currently, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. That will probably last through this weekend with the rest of blooming period ending around Easter. This is why I'm very excited about the upcoming adventure The Boy and I have planned.

We are heading back to our old stomping grounds for Easter weekend. To be honest, this trip is partially because of the cherry blossoms, but also partially because I cannot imagine sitting down with my family to celebrate a holiday with the head of the table seat empty. Since we lost my aunt a few years ago, holidays have never been the same and I really can't imagine what it will be like now without my Grandpa and even more so without being in my Grandparents house. You see, my Grandma moved in with her sister almost immediately after my Grandpa passed. She just could not be in the house without him. The house was given to my mother who is in the process of renovating it. Hence, no holidays there until the work is done. As it turns out, I'm not the only family member that felt this way. My sister and her boyfriend booked a trip to Cancun. My cousins have all decided to visit their other side of family. My mother and grandmother have decided to eat out and maybe head up to the casino and gamble. My grandmother will like that.

And back to my original point.... I'm so excited to see the cherry blossoms. We've decided to take the pup with us so I'm really hoping for dry weather so that he can tag along with us as we walk the city and old neighborhood. I've also got my fingers crossed that this trip doesn't end up like our LAST trip down. Things have been going really well with us, so I think we'll be fine. It's nice to be stable and to be happy with no crazy worries lurking in the back of my head. With all that 2009 has thrown at me, our relationship leaves me nothing to worry about and for that I'm super grateful.