milestones.

In the midst of last week's weather/traffic nightmare, I realized that I'd reached a milestone in my relationship with Atlanta, the city that I've called home for nine years.  Lucky for me, I was at home, hungover from the overnight shift, but I found myself engrossed in the coverage and I felt the hopeless frustration and despair on behalf of those who were trapped in their cars, at work or at school, forced to eat Tic Tacs for dinner and abandon their vehicles on the side of the road.

I also felt immensely proud to witness the humanity and kindness of my fellow Atlantans helping each other - so many people I know personally welcomed strangers into their homes; one guy I know made it home after sitting in hours of traffic, only to immediately walk out of his house to rescue an elderly woman from her car.  

But most of all, I felt anger and defensive at anyone making fun of my city in the wake of the emergency.  While I know jokes and meanness are an easy win on social media, Atlanta residents are, and were, at the mercy of poor planning by local officials.  Two inches of snow and ice crippling a major metropolitan city sounds funny, but in this case, it was anything but.  Hearing people kick us while we're down was infuriating. 

I started to feel like my relationship with Atlanta had become quite similar to the relationship I had with my older brother in high school.  I could usually count on him for a good for a laugh or a much-needed hug, but he never missed an opportunity to be a complete jerk - with an knack for pissing me off. 

Like a brother, I have and will continue to make fun of Atlanta's inefficient public transportation, incompetent leadership, and inability to keep a professional sports team in the city limits.  But for all his faults, Atlanta is, for now, my home, my family.  So I can make fun of him whenever I want.  But you, person-living-above-the-Mason-Dixon-line, you may not.

My friend Kyle reached a milestone of her own during Snow Jam 2014 - over a week (and 30 laborious hours) late, Baby Griffin finally decided to grace the world with his presence.  He was welcomed by two big, fun families, including a crazy Uncle Andrew and a hilarious Grandpa Buster, who will keep him laughing and adequately humbled throughout his life.

As expected, Griffin is perfect and Kyle and Greg are natural, doting, so far very laid-back parents.       

While not quite ready for full-time parenthood myself, I did manage to convince my real big brother and Katie to let me babysit my niece for a night and on the way to Charleston, I passed the 100,000 mile mark on my paid-for car. Victory!

Should I be concerned that in my life, babysitting and car mileage are considered milestones?

I guess you could say I'm a late-bloomer.  Still.  At 33.  

Speaking of milestones and Kyle, soon into our friendship she told me a story about how when she was little she used to cry as hard as she could while staring into a mirror.  She said watching herself cry the ugly, red-faced, sobbing cry was cathartic.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing; it was like I had met my soul mate, because when I was younger, I used to do the exact same thing. 

Who am I kidding?  Sometimes I still do it. 

This discovery was truly a milestone in our relationship and paved the way for more emotional cutting we share as adult - still cathartic, but with less looking in the mirror, more wine, and a playlist of the saddest music you can imagine.

Listen, drink, cry.  Repeat.

Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this video.  This precious little one knows what I'm talking about. 

Let it out, Jackson.  Let. It. Out.

Per usual, the real milestone I'd like to reach this year is a completed manuscript for my book.  Your support/good vibes/prayers/hazing are always welcome.

What milestones are you looking to reach in 2014?