how it was one of the best days of my life—how i haven’t slept in 36 hours, how my lungs burned hurrying through the airport that stank of exhaust and new england, how i came to my new home to hugs and people excited to see me; how lauren spent hours helping me build my furniture, sweating through it all in the humid heat, slicking my skin; how we walked, and the neighborhood is full of green and beautiful buildings and dozens of eager dogs; how the freezing cold water in the shower was more than welcome when it gently tapped at my skin, unheating me, renewing me; how we ate dinner at one of their favorite spots that will now become one of mine; how a summer thunderstorm rang out to greet me as i stepped back inside, singing home home home, washing everything away and filling me back up with giddiness and joy, love and power, everything i’ve ever wanted