I've been a KC resident for a grand total of 17 days, and it has taken me every one of those days to be in a place where I could write this post. I think there has been a certain level of denial happening about the fact that I don't live in Springfield anymore. I've been crashing in my sister-in-law's downstairs den, so it's been easy to pretend like this is some sort of vacation instead of my life....but this weekend we're moving
for real, we'll have an apartment, all my stuff will be here, my husband will be here, my cats will be here, and it will be a lot harder to pretend like I still live in Springfield. This all makes it sound like I'm unhappy, and I'm really not. I'm excited to live in Kansas City, I absolutely love my new job, and I can't wait to explore the city and fall in love with new favorite local spots. It's just that Springfield will always hold such a large piece of my heart. So many of the best bits of my life happened there, and even though Springfield wasn't my hometown, it feels very very much like home to me. I think part of that has to do with memories, and the other part has to do with this:
God, these girls. I don't even know where to begin, except to say that each one of them has very literally changed my life in ways big and small. They are inspiring, encouraging, supportive, caring, loving, talented, humble and genuine. When I think of my Springfield friendships, I am absolutely blown away. I think a person would be lucky to have one friend with all those qualities, and I'm surrounded by them.
These photos were taken by my friend
Michelle, who put together this going-away for me (because she's amazing and I love her). I think a lot of times, things on the internet are portrayed in a more perfect light than they really are, but this evening was an exception for me--it really was perfect. When it was over, I cried all the way home, and not because I was sad about leaving. I cried because I realized how fortunate I was to have so many people who loved me, so many people I would miss, so many people in my life that it was difficult to say goodbye to. Springfield will always have a special place in my heart...and so will these girls.
