How We Ended Up in Chi-Town

It was October of 2007 when we first visited the grand city of Chicago. We immediately fell in love with the place. I cannot believe that it has been a year already. It seems like yesterday that we were having our first Chicago Style pizza when my daughter told me I should get a job there so we could move. She then went on to say that she felt she belonged here. We must have walked 20 miles that weekend, just looking at all the buildings, art, and people. We watched the homeless play drums on 5 gallon buckets for spare change and stared in awe at the larger than life leg statues on the corner of Roosevelt and Michigan Avenues. And Soldier Field, what an amazing place. My husband is a die hard Bears fan and being at that stadium was a dream come true. When it was time to go, the twins begged for us to leave them here and just go get our stuff. I asked them how they would survive, because it would take a while for us to get back. Their response, play drums and ask people for money. Of course, I then explained to them that if we were to leave them, we would lose them forever, and even Chicago is not worth that risk. I promised them that by October of 2008, we would be living in Chicago and they could enjoy the city to the fullest. It was the longest trip back to Tennessee than I could have ever imagined. There were so many Chicago signs that seemed to beg for us to turn around and it was hard not to. Having my daughters so moved by the experience made me want to pick up and move right away. And, as it turned out, a year was too long of a wait for any of us, so we moved in January of 2008. We have had a snowball fight and ice-skated in Millennium Park, been on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier, rode on the speedboat, SpeedDog, been inside the Bears Stadium 5 times, as well as enjoyed the many museums in the area. I have to say that if ever I was looking for my place in this world, I found it here in Chicago. At first I thought I agreed to move because my children and husband were so excited, but the truth is, I love it here. I feel like the richest woman in the world. There is nothing like having EVERYONE in your home happy all at the same time. So, thank you Chicago, for being such an appealing city. I would also like to thank my husband, Rich, for being just sneaky enough to trick me into visiting Chicago in the first place. And my daughters, Courtney, Kaitlin, and Kristin, thank you for being so bold and speaking your heart's desire. And thank you, God, for blessing me with this amazing life!

Our Motto: Live in the here and now, be grateful for the blessings you receive, and follow your heart. Be BOLD!