It's been 8 months since I last wrote something. My how things have changed!
The old proverb "a rolling stone gathers no moss" has particular poignancy here. Over the last few years I've written about -- what I can now call in retrospect -- incidents of incredible growth and soul searching...plus a lot of moving around. Literally.
Now I can proudly say that the journey that I set out on is complete. Well, more in the sense that now I plan to stay put in one place for a bit, so that concept of "home" is a little more concrete. That journey hasn't actually ended though. It's just begun!
This time there are a few more things that were acquired along the way.
The first? Well, one obvious item of note would be a partner in crime. For life. Some would call it a fiancé but the pretentiousness of that word doesn't quite apply to Bret nor to me (if you know us, you'd agree). It's not because of the implied "transitional-term-for-a-committed-relationship-that's-now-to-become-a-life-sentence" sort of thing. No way! It's the fact that nothing comes close to describing this beautiful journey that started out solo and happened to wind up with that needle in a haystack of a person who somehow, unexpectedly, appreciates all the good, bad and ugly of who I am, no questions asked. It's sooooo good. And I had no idea it'd be this fun.
The old proverb "a rolling stone gathers no moss" has particular poignancy here. Over the last few years I've written about -- what I can now call in retrospect -- incidents of incredible growth and soul searching...plus a lot of moving around. Literally.
Now I can proudly say that the journey that I set out on is complete. Well, more in the sense that now I plan to stay put in one place for a bit, so that concept of "home" is a little more concrete. That journey hasn't actually ended though. It's just begun!
This time there are a few more things that were acquired along the way.
The first? Well, one obvious item of note would be a partner in crime. For life. Some would call it a fiancé but the pretentiousness of that word doesn't quite apply to Bret nor to me (if you know us, you'd agree). It's not because of the implied "transitional-term-for-a-committed-relationship-that's-now-to-become-a-life-sentence" sort of thing. No way! It's the fact that nothing comes close to describing this beautiful journey that started out solo and happened to wind up with that needle in a haystack of a person who somehow, unexpectedly, appreciates all the good, bad and ugly of who I am, no questions asked. It's sooooo good. And I had no idea it'd be this fun.
Who couldn't love this spazoid?
Another thing acquired? A job. A dream job, actually. There really are such things. Yes, it really does take hard work and patience and knowing the right people at the right time. I did it and I'm so thankful for all of the muck and uncertainty in between because it made it all worth it. To quote a previous rambling from a few years past, "It's not the destination but the journey... right?"
What else has been acquired? Things. Like, I mean, actual, physical, paid-for things. For so long I've been a big proponent of purging one's life of clothes, knick-knacks, books, furniture, leases, anything that's representative of the things that tie you down. A lot of people in their 20s would agree with that, I think. But now that a job and partner and place to call home are more defined (hello, 30s!), all of a sudden I find that these "things" aren't actually all that bad. They're just a function of where you are in life. They don't have to define who you are. And they can easily be cast off for the next impromptu brewery road trip from the back of a truck someday. Maybe next time there'll be kids and a camper in tow. :)
One thing that's worth bitching about is something I didn't mean to acquire as of late: an emergency room bill to the tune of $1,200+ after dropping Bret's lizard cage on my knee. It happened the night we arrived from Portland to move Bret into our new home in Cheyenne. Seven measly stitches spelled multiple bills that I'm still paying off, even under the umbrella of supposed health insurance. Go figure.
Screw you, Cigna! Your insurance plans don't cover shit!
And finally...I'm so proud to say I've acquired much-needed reconnections with the ones who matter in life. The friends and family who -- like the quote I used when starting this blog -- make up the bricks and build the shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go. I'll admit that the transition to Cheyenne has been a bit lonely (more so before Bret quit his job and moved out here to be with me). But leading up to it all I had the chance to reconnect with good friends who mean the world to me. One goes as far back as high school. I've also had the chance to spend good quality time with my dear family. Not to mention chances to see close friends from college and others from the days in California who also escaped the San Francisco nonsense.
These are people who've made every ounce of the journey worth it. I'm so thankful to continue to have them surround me with love and laughter. Without them, life wouldn't be nearly as sweet!
This girl and I go all the way back to Student Council our freshman year of high school.
Who would've thought that Rotary would connect us in San Francisco and ultimately wind us up in the Buckhorn Bar in Laramie, WY?
My sister from another mother who happens to speak some Mexican.
The reason why I am here in this world.
There are no words for how much this woman means to me. You are my soulmate, Liz!
My brother, in his element.
The love of my life.
Let's just say working with this guy has made it all...interesting.
