For now

Leaving a place where part of your heart lives is never easy- especially one with so many firsts. To me Chicago is like that one person who you never really liked at first and then one day you wake up and realize they are your best friend and you really can't put your finger on the moment the tides shifted. I completely and utterly fell in love with not only the beauty of the city but also the inspiring and truly authentic people I met here (there?). I'll be honest when I arrived in Lakeview that cold January morning making friends was something I was really not at all interested in. It seemed like too much effort and besides- I was already counting down the days until we could leave. But then I met this incredible group of people who had so much love in their hearts and taught me so much about friendship and my faith. They made the cold windy city home. 

I'm really not sure what it was about the city that captived me so much but the best word I can use to describe it is peaceful. Like a mother- calming my life in all the right ways. Maybe the timing was just right or maybe it was that charming lake or maybe it was the lack of humidity. Who knows? (It certainly was not the pizza) 

But something about it grabbed my attention and nourished my soul- teaching me so much about myself and life along the way. 

So wherever the road leads us I will always carry a little bit of Chicago in my heart - I really am not sure how not to. 

And as we drive off west my heart aches for everyone I am leaving behind but I know a part of me is different and better because of their kindness and for that I will never forget them. 

I love you all!

We should be packing

But we decided to go on a little bit of a road trip to Mackinac island instead. It's been a beautiful and very zen drive with a lot to reflect on. One of us ended a job, the other one will be shortly. We have moving logistics and wedding logistics and school logistics to all think through but we really haven't done a whole lot of any of that. It's actually been quite refreshing to just be and enjoy enjoy each other's  company. We can worry about all of that stuff when we get back from the island.... 

Bitter Sweet

So yesterday was my last day working at University of Chicago. It was a day that I have much anticipated for the past 6 months however as I clocked out yesterday at 1923 I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of sadness. Not because I am regretting my decision to leave but more so because of the thought of leaving the amazing mentors I have worked with for the past 3 years. I came into that job pretty much knowing nothing and because of their kindness, patience, and tough love they molded me and shaped me into the nurse I am. They took me under their wing and nurtured my love for the profession. They filled me with stories of all of their mistakes, critiqued me (again and again and again), and embraced me in their arms during the difficult moments when I needed it most. They gave me such a strong and solid foundation that I will build the rest of my career off of.   People always told me when referring to that hospital, " If you can make in there you can make it anywhere. " It was definitely not an easy job and it challenged me in more ways than I would have imagined but at the end of the day I am so grateful for the experience. Never in a millions years would I have dreamed of landing my dream job fresh out of nursing school. God is so good.

It has been a trying, rewarding, emotional, difficult but beautiful journey. Those ghetto halls and crazy patients pushed me to the end of my rope.  So many days were bookended with tears the minute that car door shut. But... there were also the days that reminded me why I got into this crazy profession in the first place.  I've lived there just as much as I survived there. It has given me as much as it has taken from me.  I would even go to say that it taught me more about my self than I've learned my whole life.

So as sad as I am to end this chapter of my life I am more than anything -so incredibly grateful that it happened.

AHHH

Car problems and rude people are my two least favorite things in the world and TODAY I have dealt with both. Ugh.  It would be so great if all cars were unbreakable and all people were unmean.

On the flip side I got my hair did per the request of every single person I work with. They all said I need a "California look" Though it is not the bleach blonde look they would have preferred it is fun and sun kissed.

so there is that!

the WHAT what

Well it has been awhile since I have last written and recently certain people have been excessively urging me to get back to the blog thing. Well.. I have a lot of life updates and so in the spirit of friendship here we go again...

So recently someone at work said to me, " Wow Amanda, It really seems that this is your time. Everything is coming together for you."  And quite frankly she is right. These past few months have been filled with so much joy and love.

I have fallen deeper in love with my profession. Helping women through their pregnancy, reminding them again and again of the strength they have, and then crying with them as I hand them that slimy, squished precious baby- goes without words. One of the most rewarding and humbling things I have been able to be a part of in my 25 years. Building on that I have started my Master's in Women's health and Midwifery. You know that feeling where everything just clicks? Its like that.

 I have also fallen even more in love with my amazing now Fiancé ( YES! we are now engaged!)
He proposed in the most perfect way in the same place we met- Quebec city. It was thoughtful and beautifully executed demonstrating the sweetheart that he is. We wandered around the city for the rest of the day in a blissful daze and ended the night eating at the restaurant that I have always said I fell in love with him at.  The next day we decided that the only place where it would make sense to get married was Quebec City in the first church we had mass together. The city itself seems like a random inconvenient location for so many- but to us it is magically beautiful and filled with so much history and so many sweet moments. SO the wedding planning as begun!

Speaking of new cities... We are also packing up and leaving Chicago and moving onward to San Fransisco.  Leaving is going to be harder than I thought. Chicago has welcomed us with open arms and feels a little like home to the both of us. On the other hand San Fransisco will be a good (NO SNOW) change.  Anyone who knows us knows that I have been slightly hesitant about this city over the past few years but now that it is creeping up on us I am getting used to the idea and I am ready to move on to our next adventure. If I have learned anything in Chicago it is that change is good, struggle makes us stronger, and new places help us grow.  So that paired with watching how Eric's eyes dance at the idea of starting the next phase of his career- I am ready and very much excited for this new chapter.


So there is a lot going on! All good and exciting things.  One thing I have learned is that its ok to go outside the template. I have talked to a lot of friends recently who mean well but are distraught at the fact that we will have moved to 2 cities in 3 years and having a wedding in a 3rd which happens to also be in another country. Some people think we should be buying a house and staying put others think that I should be pushing harder to stay in Chicago while others believe that having a wedding out of your hometown is absurd. The point is everyone has their own way of doing things and the typical format didn't really work for us.  We like to mix it up a bit so we can both chase our dreams together and I really would not rather have it any other way.

Thats all for now!!