saying my "au revoirs"

I am a direct product of two of the most amazing people this world has ever known. My mother- a "should be famous" actress/patient teacher/philanthropist/fabulous fashionista who really does  need a reality tv show of her own, and my father- a witty writer/ talented actor/financial advisor and sensitive human being.Saying goodbye has never been my strong suit, so you can imagine that as the offspring of two actors, I was a bit dramatic in my departure. My last night in town was spent with my sister and my mom at one of my newest and most favorite Atlanta finds- JCT Kitchen. Its authentic southern style food, and super chic decor may seem to contradict one another, but let me tell you the fried chicken is ON POINT. seriously, if you live in Atlanta go eat there. After JCT kitchen we headed to to tjmaxx and target for some last minute essentials. After two phone calls to my pop pop joe in Florida and my nana mar in California, I became really emotional. I started crying like a small child in the car, and no matter how much o tried, the tears wouldn't cease.We got back home and my mom spent two hours helping me reorganize my luggage. She's the best. At around 12, I made an attempt at some sleep. This really only resulted in more crying as my mom came in to tuck her twenty year old CHILD into bed. I tossed and turned most of the night, unable to sleep through the excitement, nerves, and fears I was feeling, and any sleep I managed was interrupted by a nightmare of me being involved in the French Revolution or abducted by the bad guys in Taken.Morning rolled around and I put on my favorite outfit to travel in: leggings, boots, and an oversized sweater. My dad came to the house at 9:30 to take Olivia and I to breakfast at Waffle House- we salbergs have had some of the best and worst times here, it's a home away from home. As our precious waitress was bringing out our hashbrowns, the water works started up again. Thankfully my sister Olivia knew just what to say to make the tears turn into laughter. We were finishing up breakfast, when one of my best friends Annacame in to get one last goodbye in before heading to work. I seriously have the greatest friends. It was starting to sink in. Dropping liv back off at the house and saying my final goodbye to my mom sucked. She scooted me out the door before I could see her start crying...can you guess what happened next? Yep. I cried. Once we got to my dads, I gave my cat and stepsister a hug goodbye and then we headed to the airport. I checked in and waited for my boarding pass to print, and was stopped by a very kind American Airlines employee offering me upgraded seating and half off to check my second bag. What a gem. After a smooth check in I headed to security to say bye to my dad and Nan. When I hugged my dad the tears started accumulating in my eye sockets yet again (do they never dry out?) It of course didn't help that my dad started crying too and telling me how proud he was of me. NOT HELPFUL DAD. I walked away, wiping the tears and the three women ahead of me looked at me like I was utterly pitiful. They asked me where I was going and ooed and ahed when I told them about my upcoming adventure. They explained they were coming from a bat mitzvah, I should've known they were Jewish mothers! They were so sweet and so empathetic with me. I'm glad i saw them. I boarded the plane and was off to Miami!Landed in Miami at about 4:10, and found my next gate pretty quickly. At about 5 they announced that our flight would be delayed an hour due to a mechanical problem with the plane. I was grateful. This gave me more time to call some people I wanted to say goodbye to. Talking to my friends put me at ease. They reassured me that I was about to have the time of my life and it wouldn't be so hard once I got there. I have such supportive and encouraging people in my life, I'm so lucky. I checked Facebook, twitter, and Instagram one last time before boarding the plane and bought myself a magazine to keep me entertained on the flight. Two last minute calls to mom and dad and I was off. I got a great seat on the plane. An exit row with plenty of leg room and no one sitting next to me which is nice, I can sleep without feeling like someone's staring at me. About an hour into the flight, My name was called over the intercom and my immediate thought was "Crap I'm in trouble." What they really wanted to know was if I wanted a kosher meal...either my dad was trying to be funny or my last name is a dead give away. My response was no, bring on the meat and cheese. I got the pasta, I always go with the safer choice. It wasnt JCT kitchen, but it was chewable.
And here I am. Discretely sipping on red wine as I was denied it when I first asked. So thank you kind sir sitting behind me who passed it through the crack in the seats. My gratitude to you is abounding as I will use this to lull me to sleep. Bonne nuit.