Sweater. Jeans. Shirt. Booties. Bag. Sunglasses. Necklace.
Yesterday I drove my kids into the Seattle for one last trip to Pike Place Market. At least with all of us. (I’ll probably make it to the crumpet shop at least once more because, crumpets.) You know what’s weird about this time right now? I feel like we’re sort of half living here, and half living somewhere else. Except that we’re not actually there. It’s like some strange version of purgatory, except none of us are miserable, we’re just kind of waiting to move.
In some ways, it hasn’t really sank in that we’re actually leaving Seattle. I mean, we’re just living at our house, going about our business mostly as usual and yet a week from today the movers show up to pack our stuff and then, we’re gone.
And Seattle will just be part of our story. I still can’t quite come to terms with saying goodbye to my dear, dear friends. Or that I won’t live a short drive from the market (world’s best flowers), and I won’t be able to grab chowder at Ivars whenever I don’t feel like cooking dinner. (Which is far too often, if I’m being honest.) It’s all very surreal.
My husband left for Connecticut last Thursday. I suppose that’s probably not something I should write on the internet, but whatever…
I cried half the drive to the airport, partly because I hate when we’re apart (it gives me horrible flashbacks to the time when he had a job were he traveled all the time) and partly because it meant that part of us has already left Seattle, already said goodbye. I suppose you’re doing it right if you’re just as sad to leave a place as you are excited about the new place, but then again it sure makes it harder.
It was supposed to rain yesterday. I would have gone to the market with the kids either way, but when we showed up and it was the loveliest partly sunny afternoon, not even that cold, it felt like a little kiss from my favorite city. We even sat outside to eat our crumpets.
I don’t really know where I’m going with this except to capture, even if just for posterity what it’s like to say goodbye to this city I’ve adored, who’s loved me so well. To those steep Seattle streets, the crowded market, the industrial waterfront, the ferries, the Sound, all my favorite beaches. I sure have loved it here so very much.
So much love for my emerald city.
So many happy memories. I’m going to tuck them into my back pocket, and keep them with me on our next adventure, then I don’t have to be sad about it. It’ll just keep being part of me.
:-)
ps. I wore these booties for the first time yesterday, all day walking around in the city and my feet didn’t hurt a bit. Boom.
This post makes me sad! I love Seattle, and recognize some of the backdrop of these pictures. I am so excited to follow your New England adventure, but leaving a city as amazing as Seattle must be incredibly bittersweet. Hang in there!
Hi! Normally I would not post, but understand how hard it is to leave dear friends and places we love due to work related moves. Wishing you the best and to finding new places to explore in Connecticut!
A fellow CT resident
thank you so much! We’re definitely excited to discover our new state!
I toy with the idea of moving away sometimes. I swear, as soon as I start thinking of all the things I’d leave here, I clam right back up, and feel like I need to plan a day in the city just to apologize. Seattle is such a hard place to leave, but it sounds like there are such great things waiting for you on the East Coast. It’s hard to be in that in between spot when making a change, but you guys will make it, and rock that move!
-Mackenzie
http://www.kenzywho.com
I think you summarized your feelings beautifully! I loved your last line “I’m going to tuck them into my back pocket, and keep them with me on our next adventure, then I don’t have to be sad about it. It’ll just keep being part of me.” We all hate to move on from things we love, but sometimes it’s necessary but that doesn’t mean our memories don’t come with us. This is a good reminder to us all, and I’m going to remember this next time I’m sad to leave something. It’s a great way to look at it. Best of luck. CT is eagerly waiting for you :)
A comfortable boot with a heel, that’s a score! And while it’s sad to leave the familiar behind, it’s also exciting to start a new chapter. Good luck with your move.
Cori,
I have followed your blog for what seems like forever and I have loved following along on your family’s adventures. I used to read all of your Seattle posts (from your first time living here) with envy since I was desperately trying to move to Seattle myself. Then, you moved back to Arizona, and I finally got that job offer. Alas, timing. It’s never perfect. BUT THEN, you moved back! And I was so excited to follow your Seattle adventures from my own Seattle home. :) Around the same time I moved to Seattle my parents moved from NJ to Massachussetts and I just can’t get enough of the New England beauty. So, I know you’re going to LOVE living in CT, and I am so, so excited to continue to follow you’re adventures and I can’t wait to see how well you take to the New England lifestyle.
Best wishes (and an easy & uneventful move) to you all!
– Christina