Set Free In Sonoma (from the vault)

Written by Bekah Wright

Photo by Bekah Wright

I’m Free! My friend Nahmi and I took the photo above during a trip to Northern California many years ago. And though we weren't the artistes behind the graffiti, it spoke to us. Yes, we were both going through break-ups at the time.

What we remember most about that long weekend—the feeling of waving goodbye to the day-in-day-out and unleashing our inner Thelma and Louise.

So, when our co-birthday celebration rolled around in 2016, we seized an opportunity to celebrate in Sonoma. Waiting for us there—run through the grass barefoot, spin in circles ‘til you're dizzy, ignite your homework FREEDOM!

Seventy-two hours were open to myriad conversations. Having awoken at 5 a.m. to make an early departure, not much talking transpired beyond, "Caffeine?" prior to boarding the Santa Rosa-bound plane at LAX.

Seated in different rows, we bid each other adieu for the next 90 minutes with these parting words from Nahmi, "Can't wait to hear about yesterday's coffee date."

Settling in for the flight, my mind flittered over said date that had occurred not even 24 hours prior. It was more of a "blind introduction," I suppose. Two married friends had run into an old acquaintance of theirs who happens to live in my neighborhood. A lightbulb went off for them -- the gentleman and I had a lot in common. We should meet.

And so we had. Over pie. I'd brought along the 36 Questions to Fall in Love By from Mandy Len Catrone's TED Talk. These questions were said to accelerate intimacy/determine compatability. Having not read them, I figured they'd be great fodder for conversation. What could go wrong?

Photo by Bekah Wright

Wheels touching down roused me from a nap. Nahmi and I had arrived in Sonoma.

The Charles M. Schultz - Sonoma County Airport (STS) is quaint. Walk off your plane onto the tarmac and luggage is unloaded right there. Folks dining on the restaurant patio wave a friendly hello as passengers walk into the terminal to pick up rental cars. Soon enough, we were driving away in ours.

Image courtesy of www.sonomacounty.com

Nahmi's first observation: the surrounds of STS were definitely different from those at LAX. Lush farmland promised vintages for taste-testing. Lucky for us, that was the first course of business on our itinerary.

Image from www.stfranciswinery.com

Stop One:  St. Francis Winery & Vineyards for a VIP pairing lunch. Upon arrival, a glass of chardonnay was placed in our hot little hands and a stroll around the grounds was advised.

Our short jaunt through field after field of grape vines revealed wind sculptures at every turn. The chiming of a bell cut our exploration short. It was one o'clock. Time for lunch.

Photo by Bekah Wright

When it was revealed we were celebrating our birthdays, a veritable huzzah broke forth as our lunchmates toasted us.

Five courses with pairings commenced, concluding with a Peach Fritter with Creme Brulee, Raspberries and House-Made Potato Chips. Ours came out complete with birthday candles.

Photo by Bekah Wright

The wishes we made? To celebrate many more birthdays together in the future.

"So, the date...," Nahmi queried, harkening back to our early morning flight.

I shrugged, “A nice new acquaintance. That’s it.”

I was struck by a thought. The 36 Questions to Fall in Love By were still in my purse. Nahmi and I started at the top of the list and worked our way down. Even after all these decades of being friends, we still supplied answers that surprised each other.

As for our wishes over our birthday fritters, I’m happy to report that they’ve come true for the most part every year since. Though I’ve moved cross-country, in 2023, Nahmi and I were able to meet and celebrate together in New York during Climate Week.

Photo by Bekah Wright

This year, Nahmi shared photos from her trip to Australia. Here’s her climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Photo courtesy of Nahmi Jones

As for me, I rang in a new year in Connecticut celebrated by new friends who I hold dear. And then, there was my beloved, Bob. Though I haven’t subjected Bob to the 36 Questions, there’s no question—we get each other.

Photo by Vadim Pastuh Photography

For more information about Sonoma visit sonomacounty.com. To be tantalized by more deliciousness at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, visit stfranciswinery.com.

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