It’s unbelievable - I can’t believe I’m really moving on Thursday. Well, the moving company gave us a window of Thursday-Saturday when the truck would come… but it’s hard just imagining that in only a few days I’ll be heading out of this town…
I can’t believe I’ve lived here for 2 years. I know it’s strange, but more than anywhere I can think of (except Seattle, I guess) - this place feels like home. I really managed to create roots in DC, and as much as I hate this city I also love it, and I feel like I belong here. I mean, just the other day I was standing outside my apartment building in the rain and managed to steal some tourist’s cab… I laughed about it when he was being all mad and soaked, and then I realized - who else but a city resident could do that, and not sweat it when the stupid tourist yelled at me?
I realized that as much as I’ve missed Seattle over the past 6 years, and dreamed of going back, now that I am really going to do that… I’m sad. I always want to be the person who steals that guy’s cab. I always want to remember how to drive in this city, want to be able to navigate my way from any point to any other point, want to feel like I know the city…
I’m not questioning my decision to move back home. I’m just realizing how much my two years here in DC have really meant to me. I can’t believe that I moved here the day I graduated college, having never even been to the city… my dad helped me move in to my studio apartment in Dupont at the time… and then when he went home, I was really alone in a big city for the first time in my life. And it’s amazing, how well I did - that summer I had 2 jobs, made friends, learned my way around, learned how to drive here (and parallel park!) - then I moved into a bigger apartment, started graduate school… I held my life down and, I really think, grew up & changed a lot.
I know a lot has changed since I moved here. This city symbolizes moving on from a bad relationship in college, but it also symbolizes a lot of growing up in other aspects too. I know I’m not shy anymore, after living here - the city made me more assertive, sometimes even aggressive… I’m more confident, sure in my ability to live on my own as an adult… I’ve found my partner, Liz, and am enjoying a real, adult non-college relationship…
It’s a lot to process in a short time, but I’m sure I’m really going to miss this place. A lot more than I thought. I hope that can coexist with being happy in Seattle.
