Dry

On the question no one in my family can stop asking

I think I have the most unique yet common question anyone might ever get when talking with their family - either on the phone or over text. Between Father’s Day, other various familial birthdays, and photo reminders that have me texting family, I’ve gotten this question three times in two days.

“Where are you?”

I must admit that it’s one of the biggest highlights when I get this question. To be reminded so organically of my travel and how often I’m able to do it and that no one can keep up. It’s thrilling and soul-fulfilling in the most wholesome way. At least for me.

But it does highlight the fact that each of these celebrations across the family happen async - something you don’t typically associate with these family celebrations. Being across the country from everyone else doesn’t leave you left out as much as it leaves more pressure on you to be the one to keep putting forth effort to stay in contact. If I didn’t reach out I wouldn’t hear from most of these people. Which, as I sit with it, isn’t the worst feeling. Being free sometimes means more than just financial ties - sometimes it’s family ties too.

And sitting down to dive into this I thought the focus was going to be on the failings of the USPS and how it takes a week-plus to get mail from NV to GA. But it’s not.

As I’ve grown more into who I’m happy being, I find myself reaching for those childhood family feelings less and less. Family changes as you grow up, your relationships within them change. For me, that means I talk less but adventure more. That’s honestly a real trade-off I can get behind.