Biking

Wind running through my hair and tearing my eyes. Tires whirring and clicking. The sound of rubber making that distinct vibration against the pavement. Flying by all of the walkers and joggers for their evening exercise. Feeling that tightness in my chest as I breathe. Overcoming the stretch and complaining of my muscles as I force my way up a hill. These are reasons I love biking (okay, maybe not the last one...still...).

But what I miss more than anything is biking in East Asia. Definitely an experience unlike any other. I miss the crowds of people biking as a group. I miss "the flow" of the bikers. I miss the silence of electric bikes and then the sudden *whoosh* as they fly by me so close I can feel a woman's skirt graze my feet. I miss taxis coming so close to me that my handlebars almost scrape the windows. I miss the blasting horn of a bus as it almost obliterates me on my puny bike. *sigh* The danger.

Chelsi and I took our hangout time to the road tonight and just spent time leisurely biking around Ames and chatting about life, love, happiness, sorrow, worries, and the future. It was grand. She was so cute peddling on the bike she borrowed from Steve, talking to me about her excitement for her upcoming marriage. Beautiful words of God's love showing through couples and marriage filled the night air. The sky grew dark and soon we were biking in complete blackness. Then the rain came. It wasn't a hard one, just a nice, easy one. Perfectly refreshing after a long ride. Drops soaked my pants and sweater and fogged my contacts as they splashed on the lenses. Hair curled uncontrollably. We made it back to shelter with frozen fingers and damp clothes to enjoy hot chocolate coffees made by Steven.

Do you know that I miss you when you're gone?