*Disclaimer: this one is sappy & sentimental. Just scroll down to
the pics if you can’t handle it!
It’s been a while since I’ve posted since I had an
incredibly frustrating Gmail hiccup that blocked me from the blog!! Still, I
cannot jump right into Seattle
without posting some of these incredible photos of my nears-and-dears. The
bucket list definitely got a proper beating in those last weeks, and the
memories that sent me on the road trip west will live long. I spent my last 5 days in Nashville staying with my unmatchable friends
Johnny & Catherine since my apartment had to be vacated early, and those 5 days still bring tears to my eyes as I write this a month later. They were
the most gracious hosts (and really fun roommates), and being with them made me
realize the deep and lasting friendships that have grown though my four years
in Nashville. After a crazy final Saturday night, which culminated with a huge
dog party in a friend’s backyard so Keko could also say goodbye, we awoke on
Sunday morning to get me ready to get on the road. Johnny was cheerful &
energetic – and was out the door early & eager to get supplies for a fantastic homemade
brunch - while Catherine and I groggily & gloomily tried to finish packing up. As much as we tried to stall, eventually we
had to give in and just go! Catherine made great ceremony of having her pups kiss Keko goodbye – complete with
a big “Muah!” (this truly made me laugh!) – and we headed out to the car. As I
wedged Keko into the tightly packed VW, and noticed that Gribble had made it
over from next door, a feeling of extreme anxiety took over. Big hugs happened, and the tears just started flowing. Saying that final goodbye to my girls &
Johnny was, by far, one of the hardest things I have ever done. Because I was so overwhelmed about what was in our future in the weeks leading up to the departure, I didn’t allow myself a chance to properly let reality sink in. As I
pulled away from the curb I had a mini-panic attack, and yanked out my phone
and started emailing Erik (who was flying to Istanbul at the time) saying, “We can’t
do this! We’re making a mistake! I can’t
leave! It’s too hard!” At that moment, my sister-in-law Emily in Seattle sent me a text to
ask how I was doing. Several texts later, I managed to calm down, but the lump
in my throat was the biggest one I can remember, and it didn’t leave until
several states & several days later.
If you haven’t been to Nashville ,
I highly recommend visiting. If you don’t find someone there who will welcome
you in with open arms, let me know. I know that my four years there resulted in
some of the biggest and best loves of my life. As I mentioned before, I’m an
eternal optimist, thus the title reference to... "I don't know why you say goodbye, I say HELLO!" Well, as you can see now, for me, that was easier said than done. Thanks
friends, for sending me off with such love. I love and miss you all and am
thankful every day for your friendship!
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| City House! Please go! You won't regret it! Jesse, *me*, Justin, Jason Gribble Stitty, Stacey &Jim |
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| Firefly - last night dinner! (Ridiculously declicious white truffle mac-n-cheese & "bullet" bourbon!) Jake, Christa, Jill, J-Dub, Joy Nancy, Jason, *me*, Catherine, Lauren |
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| with Christa |
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| The 3 Crow crew Macey, Lair, *me*, Tom Catherine & J-Dub Zack, Jill-1, Lauren, Rick, Joy, Joanna & Justin |
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| Catherine, Jill-1 and I. So much love. |
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| Joy, Joanna & Justin. Fun. |
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| Bonfire + sleepover at Amy's farm. Keko is sad to say goodbye to Luna & Boo. (I'm sad I didn't get a pic with Amy! Love you!) |
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| I'm Jill-2. She's Jill-1. |
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| The Monday night Crew. Lump in throat ensuing... |
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