The end of the year is often filled with odd events and so finding myself driving through Virginia in a rental car was not shocking.
In a way, it seemed predictable. A young man that drove once every few months for years finds himself commuting to work everyday. 5 months later, inclement weather hits his hometown while he is away. Flight after flight is canceled. He finds himself faced with the decision to wait another 2 days for a flight or to start driving.
The cliche is ruined when one takes into account the woman by his side. The woman he discusses the situation with. The woman whom will take the later, harder part of the journey. The woman he is happy to call his wife.
No single-handed struggle. No last-ditched effort. Just 2 people making the best out of the situation. The young man knows that together these 2 can accomplish far more. He knows that to attempt this drive alone would be foolhardy and no accolades await him for accomplishing it.
And so he drives into the night... crossing into Maryland before turning over the keys. The woman drives into and across Pennsylvania as he sleeps. She will continue to drive until 5 AM. She will go to work the next day while he calls out. He will be reminded once again which one of them is the strong one.
They will both return to their life. The road is not their way.
He started the journey wishing to return home. But in truth, he was always home. Home has no latitude or longitude. Home is as close or as far as the woman that took the journey with him.
