Two Years in Chicago

On August 1, 2010, a confused and somewhat terrified 27 year old girl boarded a plane at LAX and landed at MDW. She had no idea what she was in for. She walked away from an eight year relationship and could not begin to anticipate how much her life would change. She was a creature of habit with a terrible fear of flying. A girl who played it safe by going to college 1.5 hours away from home. She was afraid of change but knew it had to happen. And moving to Chicago was so out of character for her, but she did it.

Gorgeous Chicago skyline

It's been two years. Two incredible, scary, fun, happy, sometimes-lonely-but-wonderful years. There are still days it doesn't feel real. I look out the window and don't know how I ended up here. But I smile every single time I see that gorgeous skyline. This is exactly where I am supposed to be, and I am so grateful for every single moment that I've spent here. I grew in ways I never thought I would.

In many ways I am still that same girl that I used to be. Same values. Same heart. Same awesome personality (ha). Same sense of humor. But I am so much more open than I used to be. Moving to a new city where I knew no one forced me to put myself out there. I have become less neurotic. I have learned a thing or two. I have a good sense of who I am and what I want out of life. And while it hasn't always been easy (it still isn't easy), this move is the greatest thing that I have ever done for myself.

My first blizzard. View from my old apartment that I was too afraid to share because it pinpointed my exact location.

I survived a blizzard, went boating on Lake Michigan, have made some truly wonderful friends, and of course, launched The Everygirl with my business-partner-turned-best-friend Alaina. For the first time in my 20s, I have found and stuck to a workout routine with CrossFit. I cannot imagine where I'd be had I not made this move. Every time I see the skyline or go for a walk by the lake, I am blown away by how beautiful this city is. I live here. People regularly ask why I chose Chicago and I always say the same thing – it seemed like a nice city and my car lease was up. I did not move for a job. There wasn't really a reason that I settled on Chicago other than I knew I needed a change, and it just felt right.

My first Chicago apartment.

Thank you to my friends for making this city feel like home. I may live by myself, but I am definitely not alone. And to this beautiful city that I now call home. Happy two years, Chicago.

Here are a few posts I've written about my move to Chicago:
Journey to Chicago (It's LONG but is one of my favorite posts)
The best thing I ever did
One year in Chicago

And go Bears!

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