Memories

A lot can happen in the span of one year.

You can say goodbye to your family and friends. 

And move across the country with your boyfriend and two cats.

You can run 26.2 miles for the first time in your life, and in the process raise close to $3,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and all those affected by cancer.

You can spend Christmas 3,000 miles away from your family and still make it a wonderful memory together.

  
 You can ride in a hot air balloon for the first time.

You can get used to the fact that west is towards the beach and east is inland.

You can go from knowing 0 people to meeting amazing people who you are lucky enough to now call friends.

You can go to your first baseball game. in your life.

 
You can run on trails with signs like this and not freak out at every movement in the brush. or not.

You can begin to call this place home.

 And then you can say goodbye.  

Shane and I have spent an absolutely amazing year here in San Diego.  We have grown by leaps and bounds as individuals and as a couple.  

I took a step outside my comfort zone and was rewarded ten fold.  My life is so much richer (not in the sense of money.  Come on now...San Diego has been expensive!!!) and I have so many memories that make happy. I'm getting teary eyed as I think back to all of the rad things I've done here.  

Every morning while driving to work; clear blue sky above me,  thermostat reading 70 degrees, passing larger than life mountains with tiny houses teetering on the edge; I would pinch myself and think, "Melissa, you live here!".

I'm sad to say goodbye, but I'm excited for what the future holds in New Jersey.  San Diego friends, I will be back to visit! There is no doubt in my mind about that :)  East coasters, we arrive on May 27th!

Now will someone come pack up my apartment for me?!