The storm before the calm

Just after Christmas of ‘04 John came back for me again. This time he had a one way ticket to Chicago, because together we would be driving back to California. I was moving back home. Well, close to home. I’d be making a new home by moving in with John.

By this time I had successfully finished school, only had about a week left at work and was ready to move forward. John and I were able to spend our 2nd New Year’s Eve together in Chicago and I celebrated knowing the year to come would bring me so much happiness.

My cute little apartment in the city was nearly all packed up. I was sad to leave. I always get attached to places I live, but this apartment was extra special. It was where I finally found my true independence. It was a darling Victorian style courtyard building I had been living in for well over a year and a half. I was on the third floor of a walk-up, which wasn’t fun to move in and out of but had plenty of charm once you were settled. My drafting table for school work was set up by the window. I could look out onto the courtyard below and was often inspired by the changing of seasons. Being a California girl I never realized how much fun the anticipation of different seasons brings. When my window was open I could hear the crowds at Wrigley Field just a few blocks away. I’d have the Cubs games muted on TV while I did homework and when I’d hear a loud uproar out my window I would turn the sound on to find out what happened.

Wrigley Field

I was also only about a block from Lincoln Park and the lakefront. I often went to the park and sat by the lake. Sometimes I’d take my school work over there and other times it would just be a place to relax or go for a nice long walk. It was a fantastic city and a hard place for me to say good-bye to. I was a much different girl when I left that city than when I arrived. I proved so much to myself during those 5 years. It is a part of my life that will always bring a smile to my face. I was leaving good friends too. When I first moved there I was so afraid of not making friends. Turned out I met some really amazing people. I moved away feeling sad to leave some spectacular friends behind. I met some of the nicest people, with the biggest hearts while I was there. They are friends I will always cherish.

But that being said I knew it was time for a new chapter in my life. John was here to take me home and I couldn’t wait for our future together. He packed the little odds and ends for me while I finished up my last few days at work. We went out with friends and they even had a going away party for me.

It had been snowing for quite a while and it wasn’t predicted to stop any time soon. The night before we left Chicago, John and I went to dinner at a little restaurant just down the street from my apartment. We sat right by the front window in this tiny eatery. We watched people walking to and from the train station near by. It was cold outside. The snow was coming down in light flurries but then proceeded to get heavier and heavier. I remember sitting there watching the snow pour from the sky and just thinking that I better enjoy this magical sight because my time here was coming to an end. We finished our lovely dinner and walked back - in the now blizzard like conditions. Luckily it was a short walk.

The news was calling for “the storm of the year” around the country. It seemed as though all the states we would be passing through were expected to get record amounts of snow, rain, or both over the next few days. All of our parents were worried about us making the drive. I remember talking to my Dad after we came home from dinner that night. He was so worried and told me we should wait a week to leave until the weather passed. I cried after that conversation. My emotions were already running high and I didn’t know what to do. I had to be out of my apartment, John had to be back to work, we rented the truck, I had movers coming (although even they wouldn’t confirm because of the snow). I had planned this. I was emotionally ready and was afraid if we post-poned the move it would just be that much harder to leave. We decided to sleep on it and see what tomorrow would bring.

The next morning the snow continued. There was a good 3-4’ on the ground but the movers told me they would come. They helped us load our Penske truck and were great sports about the 3 story walk-up, tight corner, heavy furniture situation.

When we finally finished packing the truck that had been double parked on my little city street, I told John I’d meet him down there in a minute. I had to take one last walk around my apartment by myself. It was time to say good-bye and leave this lovely place. I cried as we drove out of town; just as I did driving out of Santa Cruz when I was moving TO Chicago. Ending a life chapter is always bittersweet for me. I get very attached and change is hard. But once I commit, I usually don’t have regrets.

So we headed out of the City. I watched the skyline the whole way. The overall drive was a bit dodgy. We did hit some bad weather and it seemed like we were moving right along Hwy 40 with the storm. We drove through states I had never been to before. We saw the St. Louis Arch, the not so exciting Oklahoma City, and literally smelled the BBQ as we passed through Amarillo, Texas. We drove through gorgeous, snowy Flagstaff, AZ. and then up to The Flamingo Casino in Laughlin, NV. On January 11th, 2005 we pulled into the driveway of what would soon become “our” home in Squaw Valley, CA. We were both relieved to have made it in one piece. Being stuck in very close quarters for the previous few days again proved we were good company for each other. We had arrived!