in less than 24 hours i'll be heading towards the magical land up north. where cable doesn't exist, at least not at my aunt's house. where there's no such thing as internet connections or email access. where beds pull out of couches, in living rooms with absolutely no privacy. i'm on display in the main room for all the world to see. where a fireplace keeps me warm at night, and a chiming clock brings back fond memories. where my relatives will inhale several pies and offer me a piece, after thirty-one years i will still be saying no. where an apples to apples marathon will be had. where shopping at 5 a.m. the day after thanksgiving doesn't seem wrong at all. where i'll regress to feeling like i'm a teenager again. where i'll laugh, get hugged, see my favorite person in the whole wide world, and feel loved.

where i wouldn't want to change a single thing.