Chandler, AZ – 12.13.14

 

We had been itching for Chandler for a long time. Not for the busy, commercialized suburb that it is, but for the people inside of it. My (Toni’s) best friend Marisol moved to Chandler, just fifteen minutes from Phoenix, at the beginning of high school. We were the inseparable duo. Not only was I losing my best friend to the other side of the country, but Marisol had to start all over in a completely new state, in HIGH SCHOOL. Eek. Since that day she moved, we have never faltered in our best friendship. We see each other once a year and talk almost every day. She still knows more about my life than anyone else and she’s been 2,612 miles away for over four years. We weren’t planning on reaching Chandler when we did, but after a quicker trip to the White Sands than anticipated, it just felt right. I called Marisol and told her we were en route and coming to her house that night in hopes that she would be free. We were like little kids again, getting ready to go see our favorite band or something. Her parents, some of the kindest humans I know, offered us the space in front of their house to park the Toaster. It was ideal. We plugged into their house, and got the best campsite we could have gotten!

We spent five days eating authentic Mexican meals with Marisol’s family, exploring Tempe, where Marisol goes to school, forcing Willow and Lola (the family Beagle) to be friends, and just being overjoyed to be spending real time together. Marisol helped me Chrismukkah shop for Dan which was great and oh I can’t forget karaoke night. Our friend Lissette booked out a room at a karaoke spot for her birthday. We all sung our hearts out to 90s ballads and shook our hips to Shakira. Dan killed it on the maraca. I think we would all agree that he was the heart and soul to each song. It felt good to be surrounded by friends again. Doing nothing but smiling and laughing.

I will admit it, with Christmas crawling up on us and flights home to Boston being so expensive, I was starting to feel sluggish. I had never spent a holiday without my family. But as soon as we pulled up to Marisol’s house, I felt my heart start to swell. The overabundance of Christmas decorations everywhere and the hugs from her mum, dad, and brother made me feel like I was at home again, just with my second family this time around. Chandler was just what we needed. Thanks for the campsite, Marisol!

-Toni