It deserves its very own honorary French “Le” in front of it. It’s just that amazing. But, then again, I’m coming from 20 years of a biased opinion.
You know {of course you don’t}, I still remember when it was being built. When the majority of Route 7 from Tyson’s Corner through Reston and into Loudoun County was nothing but forest.
I imagine this is how my — our — parents must feel as they return to home towns and “what used to be here” and “when that didn’t exist”.
It’s indeed, a very peculiar thing. Even more peculiar of a thing now that it’s happening to me.
With the expansion of the metro, I’ve been utterly floored at how much and how drastically the Metropolitan D.C. area continues to change.
Le Tyson’s being no exception — I could hardly believe the massive overpasses making way for the new Silver Line, as well as the monstrous expansion of Tyson’s itself.
Like anything, I found parts of it to remain constant — like the Disney store on the lower level. It’s always been right there. Gap on the upper level, with Abercrombie down the way. And Nordstrom, my main stay constant. Nordstrom is so good to me like that.
Then, there’s areas of it that were unrecognizable, like the AMC movie theater addition and a whole host of other stores. I found myself gravitating away from all the new and sticking with the old.
Predictable and typical Taurus of me. I wanted it to be just as I remembered. There’s that change thing coming at me again. No, thanks. I’ll stick with the was as to the is.
Spending all this Tyson’s time with Maman has brought back all of our wonderful memories … it was a Saturday ritual of ours. We’d spend a good six to seven hours there, eating dinner at Nordstrom café.
In a way, it felt like I had never left the damn mall. We were just picking right up where we had always been.
Home does that to me. Leaving me feeling that I’ve been here all along. It’s hard. I love where I am and the direction my life is taking, yet, I return home and my heart leaps and drops. At the same time.
Trying to come to terms with what was and what is … is no easy task for a steady Taurean mind. And undeniably, I am so comforted here. This is my beginning and my middle. This is/was/was/is{?} me.
The memories here. Everything holds so much significance. And I don’t want to forget it, any of it. But I’ve already said all of that.
Back to shopping! We were quite successful — I found three dresses. One I am positive is the dress. It’s very me, very untraditional and had nothing to do with being bought at a real bridal boutique or department.
That’s so over-rated anyway. I figured, I could get my dress anywhere. Why bother with a real actual wedding place? I mean, hello — this is the girl who doesn’t even wear real clothes.
Okay, so I did try actual wedding dresses, and after 30 minutes, I was over it and done. Couldn’t take it. The girls working there were way more into it than me. I knew the warning sign was being most excited about the mini bottles of Perrier. I know! Huge win for me.
So Maman and I were all, f this! Okay, so I was all, f this. Maman was all, did you just say the F word because people are looking at you.
We found hope, comfort and all things spectacular at Nordstrom. We had the best time trying on the dresses there. So much fun that we got locked out of our fitting room.
I walked around trying to find someone to unlock our doors, but it was like the entire third level of the store had suddenly emptied out. In a true Maman moment, she took matters into her own hands, and crawled under the door.
If that isn’t love, pure love, then I don’t know what is. And just look! Seriously. How fab is she? Just all sorts of fabulousness happening here. Not to mention, she’s working Ralph Lauren.
Great memories, great times. Typical with me and Maman.