{ photo via JourneysEye }

One year ago today I packed up my little car and made the 800 mile drive out to Chicago with just my Callie girl by my side.  I was moving into an apartment I had never seen (only was able to view the model) and I could count the number of people I knew in the Windy City on one hand (it was about three total).  It was the new beginning I had been craving and although the moving aspect of it was insanely stressful, I was never nervous about making such a drastic move on my own.  With each day that has gone by over the past year I have felt more and more secure in my decision and the countless opportunities that have come with it.  Chicago now feels like home and I still get butterflies every time I see that gorgeous skyline.  

Thank you for being so good to me, Chicago.  We’ve had one hell of a year together.