#30Tripsfor30: Atlanta with My Best Man

A year ago I sent out text messages to my friends telling them I wanted to do a #30tripsfor30 challenge. The deal was simple. They choose the place. The time and we split travel costs. Each person would have a year to take a trip with me. I wanted to do this challenge because most of my friends and family would want to join me on an adventure but timing would not allow us. And I wanted to spend the next decade of my life with the people that mean the most to me.

My “best man” as I like to call him. We've been friends since we were 16-17 years old and something about him just stuck with me. Over the years, we've shared a lot of good and bad moments together: birthdays, baby showers, arguments, disagreements. 

He's usually the man I go to for a male perspective and vice versa. Many people speculated that we dated but we never crossed that line. The best way I can describe our relationship is Tupac and Jada Pinkett Smith. We both hold a deepness and compassion within ourselves and for one another that people may never understand.

We decided that we would meet in Atlanta since he lives in Savannah and I would be visiting Atlanta for the infamous fight between Gervonta and Yuriorkis Gamboa on December 28th. I packed my bags and took a short flight to Atlanta for the weekend for my trip 3 of 30. 

We haven’t lived in the same city for over 3 years so I was excited. He allowed me to stay in his room for one night (my flight was a day earlier than my family). I checked in the room, got ready and went out to a lounge with himself and a few friends. We talked. They smoked. I took shots of tequila. It felt like we were 18 again. In that moment, I had a flashback memories letting him hold my car “tweety” as we called it for the guys to go out. It felt like we were kids but we are no longer kids.

As the night continued and even the weekend, it was apparent that we had grown up. We talked about everything from politics to relationships.  I can hear the grown man in him. He saw his bigger picture as a black man. He understands the importance of being a great father, provider and woke black man. He is different. He is so much more aware of himself and aware of me. Attentive to looking out for me. 

The next day, we decided to visit a streetwear pop-up shop to support some Baltimore small business owners while in Atlanta.  The pop-up shop was located in The Beacon Atlanta, a shopping center in Southeast Atlanta.  We casually looked at some clothing. As we walked through other sections of  The Beacon, we came across Civil Ax Throwing. Convinced by a couple to give it a try, we signed up for a 30 minute session for $25 (although I wasn't quite dressed for the occasion) and learned how to throw ax. As we tried a couple of times, I was elated when I finally was able to get the ax to stick to the wood. Shortly after my throw, he was able to get his ax to stick to the wood. It was an exhilarating feeling and probably one of the memorable experiences that I will keep with me although he won multiple times.

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After the ax throwing experience, we decided to go to the infamous Trap Museum. Being hip-hop connoisseur, we were both excited and also curious of the hype surrounding the museum. The line was long and there is a parking fee but it was worth it. We entered the museum and I was instantly impressed by the corner store exhibit as it reminded of my childhood experience of a corner store.

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We continued throughout the Trap Museum and I became a trap queen for the moment sitting on top of the pink trap car and he became a trapper, whipping baking soda. We got the chance to reflect on the lifestyle of many of our favorite rappers. We snapped pictures at every site and  I loved every moment and am glad that we got to experience the trap museum together. I do wish we would've went during a weekday to view the exhibits without the crowd. I can say he's the only person I would've wanted to explore the Trap Museum with. We both bought shirts to end our experience at the Museum. 

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Overall, spending time with my best man was perfect to me. I saw a man in front of me. A gentleman. It was truly the little things that made my heart smile during this trip. From allowing me to stay in his hotel room, allowing me to sleep in the bed while he slept on the sofa, making sure I was safe wherever I went and handling me with care the entire weekend. He extended himself beyond what he had to and that is why he will remain my "best man."  This trip will always hold a special place in my heart just like he does.

"u R my Heart in Human Form...a Friend I could never replace"-Tupac