When I was younger, I never thought the West Coast would be appealing to me. I thought the people would be too weird, the scenery boring and obviously, I had grown up on the East Coast, so the unfamiliar was scary. I was so young and so naive.
Fast forward to 2013. I was nearing the end of my graduate program at UNC Greensboro, and the pressure to find the perfect job after graduation was closing in. I was originally looking for jobs in the Southeast...but as I began to research cities -Austin got added to the list. Denver. Minneapolis. Chicago. Portland. Seattle. I made it to the West Coast!
At the time, my dad was working in Washington state, so I scheduled a visit to see him, which was only my second time on the West Coast.
Seattle was rainy and wet in March of that year. We did the usual touristy stuff, like ride the ferry, go up the Space Needle, go to Pikes Place Market. It was so green, and even though gloomy, I liked the feel. There was so much to do and see, but it wasn't overwhelming like New York City, or even DC. It felt...familiar. When we drove onto the campus of the University of Washington, I knew that I wanted to work in this beautiful city.
In May, I was offered an on-campus interview at the University of Washington Bothell. May isn't typically a sunny month, but that day was clear and gorgeous. Growing up in the Southeast, you only see pictures of snow-capped mountains. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains I grew up near look like rolling hills in comparison to your Cascades and Olympics. Driving down 405, straight towards Rainier was surreal. Everyone said I was so lucky to have the weather that good while I was there: I think it was a sign.
Moving to Seattle was harder than I anticipated. I was lonely, and my job was consuming. I missed the familiarity of home, as much as I reminded myself how lucky I was to live in Seattle. I didn't realize how normal these feelings were, especially as I went through my first cold, wet, dark Washington winter.
Slowly but surely, I made friends and had visitors to explore you with. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl that year, and I became a lifetime #12thman. I began to fall in love with you, Emerald City.
You gave me so many firsts: pho, mountain biking, boating, (real) breweries, bocce ball, shuffleboard, kayaking, real coffee, Crossfit and weightlifting- just to name a few.
More than anything Seattle, you gave me the space to come into my own and make some of the best memories of my life so far. In between grueling, rewarding work days, coffee shops and bar crawls and baseball games, mountain views and workouts I never imagined being able to do, I became stronger and more sure of who I am. I fell in love and got my heartbroken. I lived alone for 3 and a half years. I said yes to everything, went on wonderful, wild adventures, ate delicious food, danced, and sang, and played, and talked and laughed and cried. I traveled. I became a better professional, a better friend, and a better version of me. I was myself and found people I could be completely myself with.
I know it is a part of the grieving process but I ache to be back. I ache for the familiar views, familiar faces, the routines, even for my old job. Even the gloomy weather sounds comforting. My heart will always be in two places at once. I am thankful I took a chance four years ago, and said yes to the best adventure of my life so far.
Moving to Seattle was harder than I anticipated. I was lonely, and my job was consuming. I missed the familiarity of home, as much as I reminded myself how lucky I was to live in Seattle. I didn't realize how normal these feelings were, especially as I went through my first cold, wet, dark Washington winter.
Slowly but surely, I made friends and had visitors to explore you with. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl that year, and I became a lifetime #12thman. I began to fall in love with you, Emerald City.
You gave me so many firsts: pho, mountain biking, boating, (real) breweries, bocce ball, shuffleboard, kayaking, real coffee, Crossfit and weightlifting- just to name a few.
You offered some of the most spectacular views, and whether driving down I-5 or along Lake City Way, I often had to pinch myself and try not to take a picture every. single. time. The summers were worth every long, wet winter because around the corner were long days of endless blue skies, snow capped mountains every way you looked and bodies of water filled with people boating and kayaking.
You brought me to some of the best people I have ever met in my life. People who are kind and generous and with open hearts. Who think like me and made a huge impact on my life.
More than anything Seattle, you gave me the space to come into my own and make some of the best memories of my life so far. In between grueling, rewarding work days, coffee shops and bar crawls and baseball games, mountain views and workouts I never imagined being able to do, I became stronger and more sure of who I am. I fell in love and got my heartbroken. I lived alone for 3 and a half years. I said yes to everything, went on wonderful, wild adventures, ate delicious food, danced, and sang, and played, and talked and laughed and cried. I traveled. I became a better professional, a better friend, and a better version of me. I was myself and found people I could be completely myself with.
I know it is a part of the grieving process but I ache to be back. I ache for the familiar views, familiar faces, the routines, even for my old job. Even the gloomy weather sounds comforting. My heart will always be in two places at once. I am thankful I took a chance four years ago, and said yes to the best adventure of my life so far.
Love,
Rachel
