Susan landed at LAX at 9am and only moments later (after carefully navigating the dreadful traffic chaos that is LAX) I got out of my car and RAN to attack Susan who was walking towards me. All elements of calm were momentarily discarded and we collapsed into each other’s arms with great exclamations. It was a reunion to be remembered. We drove back to my house surveying the lovely landscape and weather of LA and then went on the grand tour: living room, dining room, patio, kitchen, upstairs bathroom, my bedroom, the empty master, Shalina’s Harry Potter closet, the downstairs half-bath and Lindsey’s extraordinarily full room. We took off almost immediately for Susan’s FIRST In-N-Out experience. We drove thru and then went to Tri-City Park where we laid out on my giant pink picnic blanket and basked in the sun while watching the masses feed the ducks. After lunch (and leaving several voicemails for mutually loved individuals) we went to Fashion Island so Susan could get a taste of “Orange County” – it was the Nordstrom Grand Opening Weekend and the people were OUT OF CONTROL! Within the first 10 minutes, we counted 16 dogs of all varieties with extremely attentive owners tending to their every canine need. HYSTERICAL. We walked through Anthropologie and swooned over the numerous items we coveted but absolutely did not need and then headed to Teuscher for champagne truffles. They were PERFECTION. While sitting enjoying our chocolates (and the Starbucks beverages we had picked up a bit earlier) we saw the ULTIMATE depiction of ridicularity (and yes I made that word up – it is just so appropriate for this occasion!). There was a woman decked out in a faux-fur leopard trench pushing a yappy little dog in a stroller adorned with the same faux-fur print. OUT OF CONTROL! After snapping a few photographs and laughing a lot, we decided it was time to HIT THE BEACH. We drove over to Corona del Mar and parked (half legally) then ran and put our toes in the sand and let the water (which was FREEZING COLD) run over our feet. We jumped around and played on the rocks and took as many pictures as we could self-portrait style and then considered it an adventure complete. We went back to the car and back to my house. We spent about an hour resting and chatting – Susan and I always have the best conversations about all kinds of things – it has been 3 years since we last sat in a room and chatted and yet it felt like it is something we do all the time. There is something so striking about those types of friendships. Around 6:00pm we decided it was time to eat MEXICAN FOOD for dinner and then start the drive to Santa Clarita and our all-too-soon goodbye. We talked for the entire car ride and our conversation enriched my soul. We got to Steve & Nikki’s just after 9:00pm and Susan walked me to my car as the tears poured down my cheeks close to 9:30. We spent just over 12 hours together and it was not nearly enough – it was the taste of a beautiful friendship that my heart yearns for more of – but I cherish the 12 hours we had and pray God will provide an opportunity for many more very soon!
ILOVEYOU DUDAN!
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