Wednesday, July 8, 2015

2,438 Miles

It feels taboo and inconsiderate to publish anything other than confessions on a Wednesday, but I know you'll understand when you realize that this post is about the 2,438 mile road trip to my new home with the love of my life. 

Eight days ago I woke up with an overwhelming sense of happiness. That morning I realized that it was zero sleeps until my long distance boyfriend was coming to Portland with a one-way ticket and was prepared to drive us away to my new home. It was also the last day eve at my dream company and it was a terrifying leap of faith into the distance.  Literally.

Packing up the essentials for my first three weeks and many goodbyes with my family meant that I left work on my final day without looking back, not even to see that swoosh I long ago wanted tattooed on my body. Not even to leave from my favorite waterfall exit. Not even to drink the Kool-aid once more. My sights were set on spending my last hours in Portland with the ones I love who love me back unconditionally. 

The planned route was simple enough. Portland to Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City to Denver. Denver all the way through Kansas and Missouri to St. Louis. St. Louis to Memphis. Home. This journey on the map was 2,400 miles not accounting for the actual addresses of the hotels and houses we stopped at along the way. 


I've known it all along, but I want to tell you that life with this man is fun. The hours, the miles, the money and the achy muscles were all worth the incredible memories we'll have of this start of our lives together. We kept the trip exciting with wagers on slug bugs we'd see, cuss words out of our mouths and money we'd spend. We gave kisses for yellow cars and pets for long stretches of road. We laughed hysterically over my inexperience with pumping gas, driving long distance, depositing money at a bank and just life in general that I haven't been exposed to. 

We sighed repeatedly over the wow-this-is-really-happening euphoria we both felt the entire trip. 


These sillies along with an amazing stay with Marisa and Noah in Denver, a few thousand bugs splattered on my car, two tumbleweeds bouncing along the interstate, a booming fireworks display, a Cardinals win, some real Southern dining and zero speeding tickets made this adventure an incredible start of our lives together.

Since I've been here, I've been a busy bear. I became a member at the local gym, have taken advantage of free barre classes at a brand new studio, found a Trader Joe's impostor called Sprouts Farmer's Market that I'm going to love, replaced my iPhone after a broken screen along the way, broke a window with a dart (I'm not allowed to throw from the kitchen anymore), washed my dirty car and started making the apartment a beautiful space where we can create more wonderful memories. 

Maybe the greatest thing since I've been here was the long FaceTime with my parents on our first night. Not only was it great to see them and hear their voices, but it was heartwarming to finally be on the same side of the FaceTime screen. 

I've only begun exploring but I think I'm going to fall in love with my new home. 

16 comments

Nadine said...

I can just feel that your awesomeness is infinitely closer to me! What an amazing journey you two had and I know you have many more wonderful memories to come!!! I feel as though I need to say, welcome to the southeast! I can't wait to follow along in your journey :)

LisaMD said...

I came over here from Alyssa's home and just wanted to give you a virtual high five and say "You go girl !" Kudos to you for doing something awesome and new and mildly scary. I can't wait to read about your fun adventures in Memphis :)

Amy's Fashion Blog said...

good luck settle in to your new home.

http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home

Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky said...

can't wait to read more about your new life and adventures. happy settling into your new digs; you guys are going to be so happy :)

Anonymous said...

you're so far away now :( don't forget about me.

p.s. we need pics on pics of the new place!

Helene in Between said...

I'm so happy for you! sounds like you guys made the most of the many many miles and I can't wait to hear more!!

Tracy said...

Yay so much excitement for one post! I'm glad you hear you're getting all settled in! Welcome to the south ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm so, so happy and excited for you. Can WE get our FaceTime on now? <3

lil desiqua said...

Woohoo- congrats on making it in one piece! Can't wait to hear more about your adventures together in Memphis!


P.S. Are there really tumbleweeds across the interstate?! I've always wondered that...

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

i hug this post.

Myra said...

Oh this makes me so happy for you, lovely! Enjoy every single day!

Candace Shiflet said...

ohhh my gosh SO EXCITING!!! AHHH!! haha I don't even know you and I am so excited for you! So many new beginnings with positive outcomes to come! I am so excited to read all about this new step and what kind of adventures you have!! yayyy!!
xo, Candace | Lovely Little Rants

MacKensie said...

Yayayay! So happy for you! It's going to be such a fun adventure. I love love love that feeling. SO happy for you and can't wait to come visit you in a new spot :)

P!nky said...

So, so, happy for you!!!!

Kenzie Smith said...

This post makes me so happy! What a fun and amazing adventure made even more wonderful by you two going through it together. However, I am bummed that we never managed to meet up while you were living in Portland. I cannot wait to hear more about the exciting things you do!

Kay R. said...

I'm so happy you are happy!! This post is just everything!