California...

Looking through these photos something inside me hurts.

It's not because I don't love where life has brought us. I'm grateful for that. There is good in change. And I am one ALL.FOR.IT.

I like stretching myself. Not being "comfortable". Because I've noticed when I push myself out of that place I become better. I learn more and it's always ended up being good.

That being said. This was by far the hardest change I've gone through. We set out to california 4 years ago with no plans really. Knowing a handful of people. We left....knowing a lot more than that. 

And those people changed us. 

I feel like I should be sad about the weather, or the ocean. And I am. But mostly it's the people.

And... the memories. 

It's hard for me to 'close a chapter' 

When I'm in it...I'm all in. I GO ALL IN.

To every stage. Because I try and do my best to listen to those who are older and wiser and I feel like one of the most common things I hear is that it goes by too fast. That you blink and you're done with high school, being newly weds, raising babies, etc etc etc.

And that is actually starting to make sense. It really is starting to zip by. 

So saying. Bye. We are done. That time where we lived in california. Started our life. Became independent. Grew. Had babies. TWO of them. Lived in the sunshine and had a house full of sand.

Makes me sad. 

But I try and make that sad feeling a good one by telling myself "be happy that happened. not sad that it's over". 

It's true. It hurts. But it's true.

I'm SO GLAD we were completely wreckless and left the mormon mecca. I love this mormon mecca with all my heart. But I am happy with the choice to be californians for awhile. It's so good. Those four years were so good. And hard...to be honest. We worked to the point where it almost killed us. We played really hard too. 

And thank you. All my dear, dear, friends. 

You know who you are. For changing me for the better, for loving me, for your endless service. 

I love you, I love you, I love you.
And California...
you are a pretty magical state.
We enjoyed every inch of you.

Here are a few photos from my iPhone of some of those last days as Californians.