By 8pm tonight my mom and brother were driving me home from dinner. And I felt this weird sensation inside. The best way i can describe it is, possibly, high blood pressure? I literally felt like my heart was going to pop. 

I can’t really explain to you why I am writing this. It will not make any sense, I can almost guarantee. But here it goes.

This morning was a mess. I woke up late, my moms car broke down, and I felt awful from the previous nights’ beverages.

However, I went to work and dealt with everything that I needed to handle.

As only a true Functionalist would.

I then went to Bryan’s house, and we continued to understand and love each other unconditionally.

I’ll spare you the menial details of the remainder of the day, until dinner.

My Dad, Devorah (his girlfriend), my Mom, my brother Colin, and I went to an Italian ristorante for a belated Thanksgiving dinner.

The host sat us at a round table.

As I conversed (and observed), I noticed a few things.

My Dad and his girlfriend are truly in love. And it is really cute. Devorah is very insightful and perceptive, but most of all, she makes my Daddy smile. When my Dad is happy, it puts my heart at ease.

My little brother is someone I am proud to have as a sibling. He is making a life for himself, and he is the most truly deep and caring person I have ever met. He is mastering his domain.

My Mom is selfless, beautiful, and perfect in every imperfection. She has shown me (since I can remember) that it is always okay to be me, and nothing but.

My family is my everything. We all sat around this table, and shared a special moment in history that has etched itself in my memory forever.

My brother is getting deployed for a year on the USS Carl Vinson. I will not see him for a long time. As I hugged him goodbye, I took a few extra moments to hold him, to breathe him in. It is these moments we let pass us by.

And I cried for the first time, happy tears. I am truly blessed.

Carpe Omnis, Functionalists.