Away and westward bound

We're going on an adventure, as Bilbo Baggins would say.

The world now knows the dream that Pat and I have had for two years, and for me, maybe my whole life. We are moving to California. And not just California, but southern California. L.A. The OC. Hollywood. Where the scenery is cluttered with brake lights and bumpers and a small apartment costs twice as much as our house. Yes, THAT California.

I grew up in Michigan, but I was born in California. I visited family there when I was a kid and was enchanted by it. In 8th grade, I proclaimed that I would go to Stanford University, because that was the only college I knew out west. I spent a summer there when I was 19, living with my aunt and uncle and nannying my two cousins. I have always felt the pull to go.

But it was Pat that approached the idea of moving. He was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. Never lived anywhere else, never had the joy or hardship of exploring a new area and a new culture. He loves Springfield, but he wanted to taste something else. He also wanted to live somewhere that would more likely support his hopes for a career in music composition.

So, we made a list of cities. L.A. Seattle. Austin. Nashville. Portland. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Always start with the biggest ideas and let practicality factor in later. We quickly realized that the L.A. area was the top choice for both of us. When something is right, it's right.

We started saving, researching and (if you know me at all) making spreadsheets. But also dreaming. Laying awake at night, talking in the dark. We gave it a secret name, Operation Cantaloupe.

We slowly told family and close friends. We were prepared to defend our crazy decision. Cost! Traffic! Distance! Earthquakes! But everyone was incredibly supportive. I love to tell the story of when I told my dad the news. I was armed with all of our responsible ammunition: we're saving money, we're prepared for anything. But he interrupted me right away and said with passion, "You've just got to live your dream. You'll always regret it if you don't." Now that is good parenting.

We made a visit in December 2012. We toured a dozen cities, experienced the freeways. We asked everyone we met to give us the hard truth: is this place worth it? It certainly is, they said.

Nothing worth doing is ever easy. I've repeated this to myself every day since then. We're leaving a place we love, jobs we enjoy, family and friends we will miss dearly. What felt like the exact right decision two years ago doesn't feel 100% right every day. I am here to tell you that chasing a dream is not easy. There are moments of doubt and moments of true terror. The one thing I know for certain is that we will look back on this decision and have no regrets. Here's to LIVING!

Title lyrics – Early Morning Rain, Elvis Presley