So a big life change is coming up in TWO weeks. In fact, in two weeks we will (pending any casualties) be well on our way into the road trip from Seattle to Denver. I will hopefully have a bag of gas station candy in my lap and control over the iPod (that’s cool for the whole trip, right BF? Taylor Swift and the Frozen soundtrack for everyone!).

Part of me is freaking out, part of me is in denial, and part of me is so super excited. I have a feeling most of the intense emotions won’t really hit me until right before and right after the move, but until then all I can really do is (try to) prepare. Preparation for a move typically includes sending the post office your change of address, packing, and deep cleaning…but I haven’t really done any of those things.

My preparations have included much more people-seeing and enjoying the city while I can. Ultimately, that’s how I’d rather spend my final time here, and I know I would regret not seeing all my Seattle friends a lot more than I would not getting a jump start on packing. Right? That’s what I’m telling myself.

Regardless, I know that once the time comes, I will have gotten everything in order. But man, there is a LOT to figure out. Not only is there just the packing and cleaning and saying goodbye to people, but there’s also vet trips, oil changes, membership cancellations, and probably way more that I’m currently forgetting/blocking out of my head. It’s all a little overwhelming to try and process, but ultimately I know it will work out.

Since I announced the move, I realized I never gave much insight as to why we’re choosing to leave Seattle. So, I thought I’d give a little more background on what feels like – and what is – a relatively quick and huge life decision.

As you may or may not know, BF and I are both from Colorado originally. He was born and raised, and I spent about 13 years of my childhood there. Needless to say, it’s familiar territory. The idea for the move had been on our minds for a while, but the proactive attempts didn’t really start until the end of 2013. We were expecting a long search and “wait for the right moment” process, and wouldn’t you know it…bada boom, bada bing, BF got an offer he couldn’t refuse. Isn’t life sneaky sometimes?

So, why go back? Well, our families are both still there, which obviously was a huge incentive to return. While weekend trips and holidays are all well and good, nothing really beats having your parents an hour away. Unfortunately (for me) I’ll be leaving some family in Seattle too (sorry Scott!) but that’s all the more reason to come back and visit 🙂

Colorado is also, let’s face it, a great state to live in. It totally suits both BF and my preferred lifestyle, and Denver is generally a great place to be a young person. I continually hear from friends of mine that, essentially, everyone in Denver is around our age, and all of them are active, enthusiastic, and adventurous. Check, check, and check.

Seattle definitely has a lot of these types of people too, don’t get me wrong, but from what I’ve heard…I’m thinking I’m going to feel right at home pretty immediately in Denver. Also, did I mention the perhaps most important thing?

SUN.

300 days per year of sun. Gimme all of it!

And here’s some real talk: While we’ve been hypothesizing about this move for a while, it didn’t really feel like it could be a reality until, well, it was. Because honestly, I am very happy in Seattle. It’s been my home over the past 8 years, and neither of us were really anxious to leave.

Needless to say, when things first became official, I was a bit of a mess.

But, I began to realize that a move is kind of exactly what I need right now. While nothing is “wrong” necessarily, I’ve been feeling an itch over the past year or so that I haven’t been able to scratch. While I didn’t want to admit it, that itch was the desire to get a little uncomfortable; to jolt my system that had otherwise become very routine-oriented and settled. Again, there’s nothing wrong with this. But for better or for worse, I have an inherent need to step outside of my comfort zone (marathon runner…duh).

I first realized this when I studied abroad as a student; I was scared to death at first, completely out of my element, but ultimately I learned more about myself than I ever had before (and had the time of my life doing so).

I learned then that the best things in life all have an element of fear involved in them. And while our instinct is to resist them and hold onto our security blankets, it’s only by embracing the unknown that we’re able to grow.

So cheesy, I know.

But it really is the truth. And while I am still scared and apprehensive and feeling a little out of control, I am already starting to feel like that starry-eyed study-abroad girl again; lit up with the possibility for a great adventure to happen.

And it feels very, very good.

Of course, certain expectations won’t live up to my imagination (um, I’m looking at you feet of snow and ice), and I’ll certainly miss a lot about Seattle. But I’m a big believer in taking control of my own happiness, and I intend to try with all my might to make this move the best possible decision for BF and me.

Two more weeks, folks.

Beautiful Seattle, give me all of your rain-soaked, fish-throwing, coffee breathing wonderfulness. I’ll miss every last bit of you.