six years

Six years ago today, after a two day drive, I arrived in Portland and my love affair with Oregon began. This place has been home to some of the happiest times in my life, and my refuge in some of the most devastating. I've made my dearest friends, fallen in love, lost friends and learned how to fall out of love with both people and places when you know it's just not right anymore. I've played in the snow, danced in the rain, crawled through waterfalls and climbed mountains. It was here that I became an aunt and a godmother, and discovered what an incredible love and honor that is. This is where I learned how to trust and love God in a way I never imagined, because of things I could have never imagined. In the last six years, Oregon has raised me up, dragged me down, guided me, pummeled me, bent me and forged me in a wild, unruly fire. It has taught me how to be the woman I want to be. Because of this place I have learned that I had no idea how utterly whole and complete a heart can really be. Oregon, you have become so much a part of who I am and every good thing in my life is because of that last minute decision to pack up my car and drive north... Best decision I ever made.