I was so busy today, I didn’t realize until just a few minutes ago that today is the 19th. This day marks one full year in LA for us. One year ago, we woke up to our first morning in Pasadena. To say we were excited and and more than a little overwhelmed would be something of an understatement. The Boy constantly asked about Toronto, unsure of what this new place was, the Baby was hardly 3 months old, and everything was so different, most of all the view.
The gorgeous view from the house where we stayed. This is the very first picture I took in LA.
Over the past year, I’ve grown to fall in like with the West Coast. It’s been a slow ride discovering LA and our place in its vastness, because vast is really the first word I would use to describe it. Many times larger than Toronto, the vibe this city carries is completely different. Where Toronto is urban, much smaller, and feels like a neighborhood, LA is the opposite. An amalgamation of people, places, events, nature- in many ways, it was chaos to my eyes.
Old Town Pasadena on one of our walks through the city.
Last year was spent meeting new people, making new friends, adjusting to life as four instead of the family-and-cousins crew of 25 that typically surrounded us in Toronto (and that was a big change for me), and making big professional decisions like choosing to start this blog (a decision that has me re-discovering my creative side and that makes me so happy!). Getting past the baby blues and learning to trust myself- my instincts, my decisions, my parenting. Learning to accept that the Mr. and I are in charge of what happens next to the extent that we can be, and that having each other’s back was the first- and only- important thing when it comes down to it. There was a lot of letting go, a lot of taking charge, and a lot of big changes this past year.
Under the pier at Manhattan Beach.
I don’t know what lies ahead but I’ll tell you I no longer wake up homesick and uncertain. I don’t know when that happened but waking up every morning to these blue skies and endless mountains has gone a long way towards healing my sadness and almost made it worth every little bit of the stress it took to get here. Where we are seems entirely appropriate at this moment in time. I can’t say know how long we will stay here, the pull of Toronto and it’s homeliness remains strong, but for the first time in a long while, I am feeling positive in that shiny, bright, “It’s a new day!” kind of way, and for that I am endlessly grateful.
I bought these tulips and chocolate cake to bring cheer to a good friend, and now this picture will always remind me of her and how you will find kindred spirits anywhere in the world.
So Happy Birthday to us, LA! Here’s to many more adventures together!
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