Today’s adventure? We were supposed to be well on our way back to NYC. Keyword: supposed.

Reality? The Zuberi elders took one look at me, still "fragile" and a little pale, and decided road-tripping was canceled. Period. No debates, no negotiations. Just a full-on loving intervention.

It’s funny—no matter what grand plan Sekou and I come up with, whenever we’re around family, the universe says, "Oh honey... you’re staying longer."

Every. Single. Time.

And don’t get me wrong, being loved this hard? It’s beautiful. It’s a blessing. It’s... also a detour when your soul starts daydreaming about an authentic NYC bacon, egg, and cheese.

(And no, Georgia bagels don’t count. Sorry, not sorry.)

So here we are: cozy, loved, slightly delayed… and counting down the minutes ‘til we’re home, stuffing our faces with the real deal.

One more sunset here, a million more memories — and soon, a greasy paper-wrapped masterpiece in both hands.

Manifesting it.