This weekend, we went to Vail with some of our closest family friends. The boys golfed, the girls hiked, and we all laughed enough to be well on our way to a solid six pack. Speaking of six packs, there was that too. :) It was a much needed weekend of relaxation, laughter, good food, and better company.
The hike that I went on though, was more wonderful than words can describe. I went with Keri, my Mom, and Maddie. It was a long drive and we got confused once or twice on the way up, but the scenery was more than worth it. The trail led us up the side of a mountain while we gazed at the sparkling lake and snowy, tree covered peaks of the mountains surrounding us. I trailed behind somewhat - taking photos in a desperate attempt to capture the beauty that engulfed all of my senses. I also trailed behind to think. And I thought about so much, it's almost frightening.
I thought about how the last time I did that hike, I was 17 and with Cayla (The photo below is from 2007). It was as beautiful then as it was on Saturday, though in a different way. Four years ago, we were chatting and giggling the whole time, wondering what was going to happen during our senior year. We wondered who would date who, where we would go to college, who would go to prom with who.... We even wrote down our prom predictions and we were pretty dead on. We had no idea, though, what our senior year would bring. It would bring us together, apart, and together again in the most steadfast and comforting way. Senior year certainly brought us our ups and downs and a whole lot of adventure, but with that, it brought a closeness that few can match.
Together, Cayla and I navigated our way through Homecoming, serious winter dance drama, a trip to Spain, dance tryouts, college decisions (and last minute switches), a diagnosis, and a lot of laughing. Through it all, she stuck by me. She helped me make the hard decisions. She held my hand and prayed for me to be brave, she didn't laugh when I was scared, and even though we've both changed so much, she still loves me, and I her just the way we did the first time we hiked to the falls at Piney Lake. And honestly, I think I love her more today than I did that day.
I have the utmost respect and appreciation for that girl. She is her own person, she does what she knows is right, and she's a wonderful friend. Every time she calls just to see how my day is, I promise myself that I will be a better friend. That I will be more like her. Every time I have a President crisis, she knows how to put it into perspective because she's traveled the same road. I wish I could find the words to say thank you for that calm that she has given me and for all the times she has gotten me through the hard things. As a president AND as a person. As a president, person, and friend, it doesn't get much better than Cayla. And this Saturday, I was overwhelmed by the memories of our first hike four years ago.
I also couldn't stop thinking about boys on that hike. Piney Lake is a popular wedding destination and it's breath taking so how could I not think about boys? I can't wait to go to the falls again and to so many others with a man that I love. Whether he's from Colorado and used to the majestic scenery or a city boy in awe, I can't wait to share that with him.
Then, thinking about the boy, got me thinking about my job and all of the big life decisions I have to make coming up. What if my job isn't in Colorado? Could I really start a life anywhere else? Would I regret not starting a life in a new, exciting place? Should I play it safe? Should I take a risk? Will I have someone to tie me to a certain city? Do I want that right now? How will I pick which offer to take? Will I even get an offer? Which career path should I choose? The safe one? The challenging one? The scary one? Teach for America? Investment Banking? Level 3? Will any of those even be options? The questions were overwhelming. How am I going to choose? And how could I ever leave this place? I don't honestly know if I can. And though, I've always thought I want to, this summer and that hike have made me realize, I'm not so sure......
That was one powerful hike.
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