I've never been one to stay in one place for very long. Change is something I both hate and cannot live without. Over the course of my 20 1/2 years on Earth I have lived in over 25 different homes, between my mom and dad and moving away to college. I have lived in multiple cities and counties, and the summer before my second year of college I lived in another state.
My dad moved to Chicago when I was 14 years old. During my first time visiting him, I fell in love with the city. I grew up primarily in the country and the suburbs, so the "city life" was pretty foreign to me. I loved it so much though. I only got to spend a few days there, but I was already planning my next trip in my head on the night I arrived.
Fast forward five years to March of my first year in college. My dad called just to check in as we do every so often. I don't know how the conversation began, but the next thing I knew my dad asked me to live with him for the summer. I was head over heels about the idea. Fast forward a couple more months and there I am--loading my things into a rental car with my dad, ready to start what may have been one of the most important summers of my life.
On my first day officially living in Chicago, I was so high on life I didn't think about anything except for how happy I was, and my face actually hurt from smiling. It didn't even hit me that I was very far away from all of my friends until the third night. With a long and tearful phone call to one of my best friends (at the time), he reminded me how much I love this city and that it's only a five hour train ride to visit. I wiped the snot and tears off my face and began the most adventurous summer of my life.
I fell in love with the city more and more every day. I was walking distance from anything I could possibly want. For someone who hates driving, that meant a lot. I finally found a place where everyone walked as fast as me! I got to try unique, little restaurants with odd menus. It was a 20 minute walk from the beach, and I was there at least once a week. I went to baseball games and found unique shops. Everything felt so right and so much like home.
As August approached, I had very mixed feelings. I was extremely excited to see people that I loved and missed so much, but I didn't want to leave my happy place. I knew I had to go back to school, but so much of me wanted to stay. It was physically and mentally hard to pack back up. I spent so many days staring at the oversized duffle bag I had borrowed to bring things back to Michigan. I cried the entire last week I was there. Getting on the train took more out of me than a long day of work or a really good, hard gym day.
It's now a year and a half later and I still miss Chicago. I miss Chicago the way you miss that ex you thought was the love of your life. I miss Chicago every day and constantly wish I could be back there. I can't wait for my next visit, because it has been much too long.
I miss you and I love you, Windy City. I'll be back soon.
Love, Sara
