Once the calendar turned to May this year, our trip really began to feel imminent. At that point, we started realizing we were likely experiencing our last whatever it was we were doing.

The first of lasts were things around the house: Kathy and Nolan sitting on the back deck on Sunday morning, taking a neighborhood walk down the path I’ve put literally thousands of miles on, and of course the last night sleeping in my own bed.

Some were meals: the last breakfast at Sunrise Cafe, the last bowl of queso at Riviera Maya, the last steak night (thanks Justin and Craig), the last ice cream cone at Handel’s, the last McAlister’s sweet tea on the patio, the last Mama’s Meat Mac ’n Cheese at Georges, or the last coffee at… wait, I don’t drink coffee. One of those dinners lasted five hours (thanks, Ron).

Others were events: the last Indy 500 (Mark, are you allowed to be served again yet?), the last poker night (still can’t believe Clayton put me out), the last game night (ya’ll got crazy), the last NBA playoff game at Bottom’s Up (thanks Keller), the last adult dinner and conversation (thanks Roudy’s and Greuel’s). And of course, our incredible going away bash at BoomBozz (thanks Macy and Matt).

I know we’ll be back and I know we’ll renew these special people and places, but there’s something different about closing a chapter and knowing you won’t do something again for an extended period of time. There’s also something about stepping away from everything you’ve come to rely on as a constant. Hopefully it won’t be as hard to say goodbye to all the weight I’ve put on sharing memories with all.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out and connected over the last few weeks. You’re going to be missed.