I'm sure people come to Atlanta with a list of things they want to see: CNN, Coca Cola, the Aquarium, and maybe a spotting of those out-of-control Atlanta Housewives. Whatever.
I came to see the Nedricks - Ann Marie, Richard, Camille, and Ashley.
Last night, I got my wish. Except for Ashley, who's 13 and way too busy on a Monday night for me. I still can't believe it has been four years since they moved here.
All it took was one hug from Ann Marie and a little lashing from her sharp tongue, and I knew it would be a fun evening. It was.
We picked up right where we left off, and I realized last night just how much I miss my daily banter with Ann Marie. It went something like this: She'd tell me I was fat, and I would respond about her being old... like a goat. We'd go at it.
It scared some people. It sounded mean. They thought we were serious. It wasn't. Never. What they didn't know is that when they weren't around, we were laughing louder than anyone.
It was a competition. Ann Marie won, a lot. But I will tell you my best days in the office were the times I made her crack. It would start with a smile. She would try hard to hold it in, and then when she couldn't take it anymore, she'd laugh out loud, and then tell me to get out of her office.
I smiled all the way down the hall. And I'm smiling now.