Shipping Out Of Boston

Saying goodbye is never easy. It's not one of those things that gets better every time you do it. Practice doesn't make perfect. Here I am again saying goodbye to another chapter of life. Of course, I am thrilled for the new adventure but my time in Boston deserve its own reminiscent post.

Boston has taught me more about myself than I planned. I fell in love with a city I really knew nothing about. For the first time in my life, I follow major sports. I leave Boston as a real Patriots fan (sorry dad) and I'll always root for the Red Sox. I know the T, the secret passages downtown and the best places for weekend brunch. For something that was so foreign is now such a habit.

I've learned to breathe. Simple yes but Boston will represent those first years out of college becoming independent, missing home, missing college and yet striving for a bright future. I'll think of weekend trips, walking through the Common, Sunday dinners at Kevin's parents and weekend shows at The Cantab. Luscious springs, bitter winters, leave crunching falls and a short but sweet summer, Boston showed me the ins and outs of a real season.

As much as I have loved the scenery and the vivid environment, it's the people I will truly miss the most. I started at the bank pretty lonely- I really didn't have any friends besides Joanna and Kevin. As work became just another part of life, the boundary walls fell and friendships blossomed. Thursday night became Girl's Night, Tuesday morning was gossiping about last night's Bachelor episode and the weekends were ours to shop, get nails done or simply play at Southie beach. No matter what it was these girls became the type of friends I made in college. The type of friends I had been missing and truly needed. I know we won't end our friendship just by being a few train stops away. With babies being born, potential weddings and life's mysterious adventures, our hang outs are just further spaced a part.

And then there's my roommates. Yes Mr. Kevin heads to NYC with me (after all this is his dream we are chasing!) but behind we leave Mr. Peter and Mr. Mike. Living with 3 boys was at first an insane idea. Would it be dirty? Would I survive? I barely knew these boys but they opened their man cave and let an ex-sorority girl move in and change it up. In the end, they definitely benefited from my extreme cleaning, dessert making and weekly supply of gossip magazines. In return, I learned to relax, listen to old school records and even watch very boy-ish movies. I will miss our kitchen banter and weekend breakfast, coffee breaks and endless hours of Liam Neeson and Taken, Country Strong and discussing everything from politics to Hollywood. As much as I am looking forward to just living with Kev, I will miss the little family we became and await their first visit to the big city.

So off we go- actually currently in Astoria figuring out our apartment situation. Stressful doesn't even begin to describe it all but in the end, it will work out. It has to for there really is no other way.

(Below: Little Bird has come a long way from this day when we drove across county and into little beantown)

Deep In The Heart

There is some part of me, that for some unknown reason, is a deep at heart southern girl. I've got the stereotypical things- cowboy boots, country music, the occasional "y'all", porch swings and margaritas on a summer night. But in a deeper layer, we find general hospitality, family love and the longing for the gentle slow pace of life.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to spend a long weekend deep in the heart of Texas with my ever so magical Noni & Papa. Kevin and I ventured to the little town of Boerne (driving a hilariously small Fiat) and spent 3 days Wii bowling, eating copious amounts of home cooking, met a mule wrangler who sold us fabulous boots, puzzled ourselves over Jeopardy and spend hours listening to the sweet tales of my grandparents. It's probably my favorite part of visiting 400 Tapatio drive- the house is filled with love, filled with history of a couple who still flirts together at 92 and cherishes each and every day.

The family love continued to spread as aunt and uncles stopped by for meals and chats. Even though it had been quite some time since our last visit, it seems our family just picks up and continues right where we left off. Stories of growing up, past visits and future wishes left me feeling full of gratitude and so beyond thankful for this life. I am reminded to live each day to the fullest and yet take it one day at a time. Of course, this is something I continue to work on daily especially as the big move approaches. But it's a sweet, blissful feeling to know that when the world gets too loud and the city gets too fast, Boerne, Texas will open its arms and slow the time and rekindle my heart.