ocean city

The one weekend I was back in Virginia, I wasn't actually in Virginia. I was in Maryland. Ocean City. 

Missy's father has a condo pretty close to the beach, so off a few of us (Missy, Franklin, Laura, Matt) went. This trip had been on the books for at least a couple of months and I was so looking forward to it. I needed it. And apparently I wasn't the only one. 

Friday afternoon I picked Matt up from work around 3 in Crystal City and we started to make our journey over to the coast. It's technically supposed to be about a 3hour drive from there. But factor in DC traffic, Friday traffic, beach traffic and a preseason Skins game and I wasn't too hopeful about getting there anytime soon. Shockingly, the trip wasn't too bad: only 4hours. Given all the other factors I deem that a success. As one would expect, it was getting out of the DC area that was actually the worst part (with only one 20minute beach-related back up). We greeted Missy and Franklin just after 7, which was just in time to put in a dinner order. Mmm, crab. [Laura, who had to work until 5 also made relatively good time and got there around 9.]

This wasn't (nor was it planned to be) one of those weekends that is full of an endless supply of alcohol. [Trust me, plenty of those have happened at this condo.] Actually, I'm not sure much planning went into it all. Combine a weekend away with a few friends and you're bound to get good times. Let's see if I can recall a few (of the many) highlights:

• Laura and I running into every possible door/corner/wall within our path. It's not like we've been walking for most of our lives or anything.
• Missy yelling at an invisible Franklin over his new Trailblazer. Franklin (and the rest of us) staring at Missy like she's maybe losing her mind.
• Laura jumping every time the door closed.
• Matt and I being the only ones to actually get into the ocean. It was rough, though. Some serious waves. And it was cold. But... go Housleys!
• Hanging out in the pool where Laura and Franklin really believed that they were at risk of hypothermia.

Many other things happened: good food, taking Matt to see the boardwalk for the first time, sharing ridiculous online videos, just hanging out. All with some of the best people I know. These are my people. People I can always relate to. People I always look forward to seeing. And people that I always miss when I leave. This was but a sampling of our group, but despite the numbers (2 or all 82376.4 of us) it's always good times. One thing that really stuck with me: When Laura arrived at the beach, we gave our obligatory hellos and hugs. Then she came back and gave me the biggest, tightest hug and squealed that she was so happy I was there... these people make me feel so special. Thank you.

It was a quick trip, but a nice one. And the drive back only took 3.5hours. 

All around: WIN.