Welcome Back

To you, readers. Welcome back. I’ve been on a hiatus, a journey, a seasonal shift, which has been transformative and freeing. Seasons ebb and flow and while the past two seasons have cloaked me in darkness, where my limbs ached and my heart twisted, I have entered into a new stage. One where the veil has lifted; the sun now reaches me; and my lungs fill with a fresh strength I didn’t know I could posses. God brought me out of the valley. And—for now—has sat me on the sweetest mountaintop. I know these seasons can change in moments. But for now? I’m leaning my face into the sun to soak up the sweetness of light, and calm, and warmth. 

Three cities. LA—Seattle—Chicago. That is the linear journey of our summer. While Alejandro spent four weeks in Seattle training, I packed up our LA home before joining him in the crisp air of the Pacific Northwest. It’s been glorious. Soaring cityscapes. Gloomy skies. Creative streets. We’ve explored. Caffeinated our souls. And strolled together along unfamiliar passageways, making our own trails. 

Come mid August, we’ll head to Chicago, our final destination.
Enjoying the newness of moving is like experiencing the warmth of a new relationship. You look past the dirt under fingernails, open-mouth chewings, eye-turning laughter, and see only the beauty. Only what causes a smile to breeze across your face. Mundane tasks are elevated to Instagram worthy outings due to new storefronts and wispy green tree-lined city streets. It’s romantic and hazy and dreamy. And it should be.

I know that will eventually change. That the cracks will litter the sidewalks, the weeds will spike through the flowerbeds, disguising the beauty more and more. That the romance of the weather and the hustle will roughen our edges and wear down our bodies. But. It’s a choice. When relationships change and shift you choose to hold onto the beauty that was new and carry it with you through the routine of life. And that’s what I’ll do. With every city, with every space, with every storm, I’ll choose to see past the routine—and see beauty even in the everyday. 

I’m slowly working my way back into writing. And I’ll get there.  For now, reading, imagining, observing, and experiencing are my responsibilities. So, welcome back, readers. Let’s connect again.

*Robin