Monday, September 27, 2021

We're Moving!

 For the past 3.5 years, Ian and I have been living in Black Mountian, North Carolina. To say this place has shaped us would be an understatement. Black Mountian has allowed for us to find ourselves; people we thought we could never become. We are whole. The community and loved ones we have gained will be hard to top. We have truly found some of our best friends while living here. 

My journey here began the summer of 2016 working a summer collegiate program at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly. The following summer Ian joined me here and things started to fall into place. We began our lives here together the summer of 2018. We shared our first home, met amazing people, jumped into new hobbies, tried new adventures, went on many hikes and learned how to live during a pandemic. Needless to say, many memories were made. There is no doubt that I love him and the life we have created. 

We have said our goodbyes and we are finishing up at work. The house is empty of items but seems to grow in love. I will forever be grateful to this home and the parties and gatherings, life lessons, quite moments and guests we had. Ian and I became a family in these walls. We began our adult journey. The ones we hold dear know this goodbye is hard and we will see them soon enough. I cannot begin to put into words how much this chapter of my life has meant to me...

On Friday, October 1 we will be leaving. Although my heart is heavy, I am excited for this new adventure. We have always wanted to live in Colorado, and the time is now! We will be going on a road trip to visit Shenadoah National Park, New River Gorge National Park, Cuyahoga National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park* (with a stop to see our friend Anthony in Ohio). We will be with family and friends in the Illinois/St. Louis area for the holiday season. In January 2022 we will finally call Colorado home if/when the next adventure calls. 

Thank you dearly to our family for your endless support and love as we grow into adulthood. We are learning as we go and your support means everything to us. To our Illinois friends, thank you for your endless facetime calls and trips to come see us. We are so excited to spend some quality time with you again! Thank you to aunt Mary Ellen and uncle Dave who are allowing our dream to live in Colorado to become a reality. And, thank you to our North Carolina people. You have shown us true kindness and friendship, and that is hard to come by. You will be missed dearly but forever in our heats. We are excited to come back and visit as time goes on. Who knows. We may even be back some day...

That's all for now. I will try my best to post more blogs for family and friends to read and keep up with our lives. Social media can be a really cool thing if we use it for good. 

My heart is full <3



xoxo,

PK 

*We are aware of the feelings National Parks may bring. Please feel free to reach out to see how we keep safe while hiking in the parks.