The One with the End of an Era

In exactly one month, I will drive a third of the way across the country to my new hometown: 

St. Louis, Missouri.

A lot has to happen before then: a wedding, a Christmas, a trip to Haiti, and a 25th birthday. But this post is not about the inundated nature in which my life currently exists.

This post is about the end of an era.

It's like that season six episode of FRIENDS, "The One Where Ross Hugs Rachel," when Monica finally gets Rachel to understand that Chandler really is moving in and Rachel has to move out. They sit there crying about how it's the end of an era, how they've lived together for six years but now things are changing and Monica has to live with a boy!

I have lived in the Commonwealth of Virginia for six and a half years. Since July 2004, I've called this state my home. Ashland, Richmond, Charlottesville, and Norfolk - names I won't soon forget. We've had some good times. We've had some great times and some bad times. I've loved here and I've lost here and all those cliche things.

But it really is time to go.

 

On January 8, I'll pull up to a house in South City and unload my belongings. Two giant dogs, a cat, and a couple of new roomies will be there to greet me. I'll hang up my clothes, find a grocery store, and continue on with my journey. I hope to learn a little something new, get to know some wonderful people, and to have grand adventures. I hope to stay for a while.

So farewell, Virginia! I wish you the best.

PS: If you're ever near STL, be sure to holla! You know Anheuser-Busch is there, right?