Annapolis

Saturday, July 18th was a perfect day. There's no other way to describe it. So many things affect my anxiety/agoraphobia and my drives, which means some days I feel like I can drive anywhere and other days I can't get out of Towson.

The last time my college roommates and I were supposed to meet, we made plans to go to Holly's house in Crofton to meet her new baby, Reed. Croften is about 40 miles and 50 minutes from me. I had driven to Croften a few times before and it's a drive I feel confident making on most days. Before I go on drives, I never go out the night before because I need to be well-rested and not have had anything to drink the night before -- alcohol and sleep are the difference between making drives and not making them for me. The night before that time I didn't go out, but I woke up feeling off. It was a rainy, foggy day and I couldn't see into the distance. Everything looked foggy. I got on 695 and knew that wasn't my day. I texted them and told them I was sorry and I wished I could be there...

When I woke up on Saturday, July 18th, everything was different. It was sunny and warm out. The sky was blue with big, white clouds and I felt like I could see forever. I don't know why not being able to see into the distance triggers my anxiety. Maybe I feel like the further I can see, the further I can go. Who knows. But that day, I knew I was going far.

Misty, Holly, Jacque and I met at a diner in Crofton for brunch. Driving to Crofton that morning felt like driving to Bel Air. There were no agoraphobic thoughts in my mind. I still had my tea in the passenger seat and I took a few sips on the way, but I saved most of it for later. I easily drove the 25 miles on 695 then the 10 miles on 97 then 5 miles to the diner. I felt calm when I pulled up and put my feet on the black asphalt.

It was so great to finally meet Reed; he's six months old now! He's super cute and Holly seems so happy. Jacque's daughter, Riley, is cooler than I am. She's one and a half now and is walking and telling Jacque what she wants. I'm so glad I was able to make it this time and hang out this time and see the old roomies. I can't wait until I have kids and Riley and Reed are babysitting them :)

After brunch, I followed Misty back to Annapolis to see her house and hang out. She bought her house a year ago ( I think) and this was my first time going to see it. Misty's house is about 20 miles and 25 minutes from Crofton. We got back on Route 3 then took 97 for about 7 miles then got off at the Riva Road exit. Once we got off on Riva Road, we made some other turns and there were lights and some traffic. I drank the rest of my tea, but I felt okay. Her house was a little bit off the exit but it was easy to get there. I felt calm the whole way there. I pulled into the driveway and stepped out of the car on to the street in Annapolis. Her house is so cute. She has a nice fenced-in backyard, nice bathrooms, hardwood floors, a reading room, etc. She also has a little apartment that would be perfect for me and Gia except Jay said she would have to stay downstairs all the time :) I think he would change her mind once she moved in.

We had a Corona at Misty's house then drove about a mile down the road and parked in a bar parking lot across a small bridge to downtown Annapolis. We walked across the bridge that looked out on the water, so many boats, and lots of people kayaking, etc. It looked just like I imagine a brochure for Annapolis would look.

We went to Pusser's, which is a popular bar right on the water. We got a table outside and sat right next to the water. I felt like I was at Secrets or somewhere at the beach. We had a few beers and lots of great conversations. I love hanging out with Misty because, among other things, even though our lives are different and we don't see each other all the time, it feels like we do. And we have great conversations and never run out of things to talk about.

Just hanging out with Misty was already perfect, but the day got even better. First, Erica and Ashley met us for some food. Erica grilled Misty about Annapolis. Ashley and I witnessed the interview. Erica has spent the last week researching properties in Annapolis so she can move there. Then our friend Jeff from college came to meet us and brought his boyfriend. I had not seen Jeff in probably five years, so I was so happy to see him. He and I were the gay ones in our group of friends and I always considered him one of my best friends and favorite people in college and I regret that we have not done a better job at keeping in touch. Hopefully now we will see each other more often. Then Misty's fiance, Jason, came to meet us with a few of his friends. Then, when I thought it couldn't possibly get any better, Olga snuck up behind me and suprised me and behind her was Shannon. I love Olga and Shannon together and each of them seperately and I was able to have conversations with both of them. They are both so much fun and such great people and I feel lucky to know them. I feel lucky to know all of my friends from Salisbury. That school really does attract some quality people.

Misty and Olga both know all about my anxiety and agoraphobia and have known about it for years now. I love that I can have serious conversations with them about it but also joke around and make lite of it too. I took a lot of pictures of the boats and the water and we were joking around about me being a tourist even though I live about an hour from Annapolis. We took pictures in front of the Pusser's sign and Olga told me I should buy a souvenir t-shirt. Definitely next time :)

We walked back over the bridge to the car as the sun was going down. I took a few more pictures of the boats and Misty took a few of me glancing out at the water then I said goodbye and headed home. I was about one hour and 50 miles from home and I felt relaxed. I slowly drove the however many miles back to 97 then stayed on that for about 20 miles before finishing the 25 miles on 695. I listened to music and enjoyed the ride home. It had been a perfect day.