Perspective

My world is beyond incredible right now. I’m finally where I belong. It’s funny how you never really think about it. You’re born, you grow up and most people just settle for what they were raised around. Now and then people move from one town to another, but tend to stay close to what they know. I’m beyond thankful I took a leap. I feel like I’ve finally found the place I can flourish. A new job I absolutely love and can’t wait to sink my teeth into. I am truly excited to work for my current company. The message we are given is refreshing to see from a big corporation and more heartfelt that they do actually care about the people they employee, their families and the customers in which they serve. That is an amazing thing to see after the fight I’ve had over the last year.

Business aside, I feel complete. It’s like having a breath of fresh air after being locked up for eons. My boyfriend is truly a remarkable man. He’s thoughtful, intelligent, successful, and fast with a smile. He quite literally makes my heart melt. I’m putty in his hands and I never thought I would find myself being “that” girl or “that” disgustingly adorable couple walking down the street…and yet. It feels like fate has grabbed the reigns and we are just along for a happy ride.

I had probably one of the best weekends of my life this past Saturday and Sunday. I don’t want to say I didn’t have friends in Oregon. I had a handful of close people in my inner circle I could count on, and plenty of acquaintances, but I’ve fallen into a happy sphere of welcoming people and it makes me realize how much I’ve missed out on in my life. My boyfriend would say I’ve had the most exciting life ever. I pointed out perspective. To someone living a city life most the their lifetime, perhaps daily hikes, extreme activities, hunting, fishing, farming, ranching…sounds incredible. When in reality its mostly just hard work to make the ends meet. Or perhaps I just really know how to tell the story. I’m in awe of how fortunate my boyfriend is. He’s got friends and family that care about him, and amazing job and quite literally hundreds of activities at the tips of his fingers. Everything I’ve craved my entire life is mundane to him! It makes me smile knowing just how much we are going to teach each other and how incredible the journey we’re descending upon is going to be.

Saturday we were gearing up for a Chicago Blackhawks game (a big game, game 7 of the semi-finals) and we were invited to a friends house for a BBQ and some rowdy fun watching the game. I was prepping some Hawaiian steak kabobs and impaled my finger on a skewer, which made the weekend interesting for me, to say the least. I’ve been pulling little wooden splinters out of my index finger all weekend. I’ll definitely be more careful next time, although I must say I was being cautious from the start. I took a good chunk out of my hand. Lesson learned…I’ll grill corn separately and never put it on a kabob again. The game was a crowd pleasing time, our hosts are fantastic people and we had so much fun.

We’re becoming the cute couple cuddled up in the middle of the room, which is very not me, but so very much us, it’s probably disturbing. I love it. Everything around Mike is so easy and so fun. I don’t feel like I need to sensor myself or “be” any particular way. We just fit really well together. For being such opposite people from such massively different backgrounds our personalities and mind set are so on point its a little unnerving sometimes, but I don’t want it to ever end.

Sunday he took me into the city. First time around all the massive skyscrapers and easily the best date I’ve ever had, no contest. From a quick bagel for breakfast to the train ride in, we hit the streets and headed through the high rises to Millennium Park. We took a walk through The Bean, looked at awesome sculptures and fountains. We found easy amusement listened the small children scream bloody murder after a park attendant deflated a bounce house on them. Not that that should be funny, but parents were fast in action to getting their suffocating kids out of harms way, so we giggled. From Millennium Park, we headed to Navy Pier which was a blast and uber romantic. I keep wondering when Mike will stop sweeping me off my feet, but somehow I’m not sure that will ever end and I don’t really want it to.

At Navy Pier we opted to check out a fun house! It began with a mirror maze, in which we bounced around walls and kissed in the strobe lights stealing a first dance to the song neither of us can remember. We’ll figure it out eventually. Incredibly one of the most satisfying and lighthearted moments I’ve had in years, it was fun to act like kids again. Although we were quickly reminded of our age when we attempted to best each other in a human sized whack-a-mole game. Running around not- so-tiny rooms slapping at lights was something else and incredible fun! After leaving the fun house we got our chocolate fix with a piece of cake as we looked out of the pier. I have the hardest time not staring into his eyes for ages at a time. I feel so at peace with all the tragedy and hard moments in my life when we are together, it really is something else.

After we finished our cake we took a turn in the Ferris wheel looking out over the city and even though I was fighting to keep my nerves in check, it was just one more moment to add to my memory scrap book of us. He’s beyond sweet and makes me feel so secure, I barely noticed how high we were until I looked out and down, and even then, just being together told my mind everything was fine, to just chill out. He also made sure I had my first (and last) Chicago style hot dog. Sad to say, I won’t have another. They put poppy seed on the bun, which I am allergic to, so even though I scraped off most of it, my mouth still swelled a little and my face numbed out a bit.

We made our way to the Art Institute Museum. We strolled through exhibits and snuggled up indoors where it was a bit warmer. I was not paying attention and walking into a security cord which was a special kind of embarrassment, but all in all the visit was good and we saw some unique artwork.

The magical moment was sitting under trees with thousands of blossoms canopied above us as we discussed possibilities for our future. It really was the perfect setting and well thought out on his part. I’m such a lucky girl! He spoils me in so many ways, the best way…his time! I love that he will take the time to just be there, no matter what we are doing.

We had a great time in the city and finished our day trip with a walk to Buckingham Fountain, which is quite spectacular along the water front. And technically now I’ve been to Lake Michigan. I might take some heat for this, but I was unimpressed…I do feel fortunate to have seen so many wonders in this world. Even if one of them is just my boyfriend.