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| Tennessee Valley Trail |
This past Sunday marked four years since I made the move
from Madison, Wisconsin to San Francisco, California and it feels like an
anniversary worth remembering.
The last four years have flown by. I’ve been up, I’ve been
down, I’ve seriously considered packing up my things and heading east on the
I-80 right back where I came from, several times. But, through it all one thing
has remained true… Moving to California was one of the best life changes I’ve
made thus far.
I remember vividly the day I signed my lease for my first
apartment in Laurel Heights; it was a moment I know I’ll never
forget. After I signed the papers I sat on the floor of the carpeted, 300
square foot space and shed a few tears of joy, pride and maybe slight fear for
my unknown future. After which I walked down Sacramento Street with my new keys
in hand and got some dinner, brought it back to my apartment and ate my first
meal. I completely forgot that I didn’t have anywhere to sit, a plate or utensils
to eat with, but I didn’t care, I was home and this was a fresh start.
A little over two months ago I began a serious love affair with the city of San Francisco and I
haven’t looked back since. It feels similar to those first few days
in the city after I moved here in 2008. I can't really pin point what brought
on this sudden change, but I went from a girl who always thought the Midwest
was her one true home, to a woman at peace with her surroundings and who is
exactly where she is supposed to be. I guess it took four years for everything
to click.
The first and second years in the city were definitely a
honeymoon phase filled with new opportunities and exploration, but towards the
end of the second year and all throughout the third I longed for my family and
friends back home. Don’t get me wrong, I've had amazing adventures over the
last four years, made lifelong friendships, and experienced things I could have
never imagined. However I always assumed that at some point I would return to my
hometown. I can’t say that I'm sure it won’t happen because you never know what
tomorrow will bring, just that for now I am content, happy and I’ve found a home
here that fits just right.
Although I am still a Midwesterner at heart and always will
be, I have a new found appreciation for San Francisco. We share strong bond,
one that’s not as artificial as it once was. As difficult as it might be for me
to say this, I’m not leaving anytime soon.
Cheers to you, San Francisco and our four years together.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures that I've taken on my explorations in and around
the city. These are the places I like to call home.
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| Coastal Trail in San Francisco |
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| Overlooking Tennessee Valley Beach |
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| World War II Memorial @ Washington Blvd, San Francisco |
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| View of Alcatraz in North Beach, San Francisco |
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| Coastal Trail in San Francisco |
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| View of the Golden Gate from Marin Headlands |
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| Tennessee Valley Trail |
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| Tennessee Valley Trail |
Happy 4 year Anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, love the photos and your sense of contentment.
Happy four year anniversary. The pictures are beautiful, glad you are happy.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to have found your blog via bloggersdotcom, but then to realize that you were in San Fran was the icing on the cake! We're in Virginia, but my husband & I are making our first trip to San Fran this September. I'd love to know where you took the photos of the cliffs. It looks breathtaking! I might just need to add that spot to our itinerary. :)
ReplyDeleteMendi @ Her Late Night Cravings
Hi Mendi,
DeleteThank you so much for your comment! These photos were taken in various places around the bay area; along the Coastal Trail in San Francisco, the Tennessee Valley Trail, and in North Beach. I will go into the post and label each one so you know exactly where each one was taken. Hope you enjoy your time in San Francisco!
xx, Chelsea
Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and was so happy to stumble upon it today via Apartment Therapy.
I'm also a midwesterner who lived in SF for eight years. I made the decision to move back to my home town in 2004. Very bittersweet as I LOVED my years in SF. Your photos and recollection of your four years there made me fondly think back to my times there. I recall once flying back to the bay area after a trip "home" where I realized I couldn't wait to get back to my perfect "home at that time". It was then that I knew I belonged in SF and the city belonged to me. Happy 4th Anniversary! Enjoy every minute of it - however long!
Beautiful photos. I loved my trips to SF when I was in college, and you've brought back some lovely memories. I always thought that I were to live in the US, this is where I would like to live. Unfortunately, I was either in the Midwest (Kansas City and surrounding areas) or on the East Coast in Providence, RI.
ReplyDelete