I have been in Chicago almost 2 years now. My how time flies. I've been in my store for a full year now! No more hopping around! I'm probably more excited about life here at this point than when i was when i got here.
I'm about to sign a lease, have a new roommate and be a bit more independent than I was. I have friends, new and old, here now. It's a melding of my worlds from different points in my life, which I think would be awkward, except that it's the thing I've been waiting to happen since my arrival.
I'm about to become an aunt in a month! Which is a whole new role and challenge with living away from my family. So, yes it's a bittersweet thing, but no I'm not moving back. I appreciate my friends and fmily more now, and know that I'm on a path that will probably veer from their location often. Doesn't make me love them less, just makes me not take the time we have together for granted.
I'm looking forward to this new beginning. I used to hate change-it scared me, but there's nothing left to do at the moment but embrace it. Thanks to recent additions to my friendscape here-I had someone remind me how good it is right now. That we're making it, we're having fun and enjoying life (even on a budget). Don't stress the hard stuff-it doesn't help, and you'll figure it out (I mean there's usually no choice so you just gotta do it).
And the weight on my shoulders is a little lighter.
