Thanks For the Memories

 As our time in California comes to a close and we prepare to move, I've been thinking a lot about how I'm going to feel when I leave this place behind.  Pretty much anyone who has ever talked to me knows how many things I disliked about this overhyped part of the country, but I think leaving here will be harder than leaving Virginia.  Maybe even harder than leaving home.  That's because the last three years here have been so full of new experiences.
   
I knew before we headed this way that I had friends here already, but I never expected to meet some of the people and develop the incredible friendships that I did.  I always wished I had a group of girlfriends that were close and really got along, and I had that with these girls.  We were there for each other through deployments, job drama, husband frustrations, Marine Corps frustrations, pregnancies, and the loss of loved ones.  There are all kinds of friends, and they are all equally awesome, but the hard part of this kind of friendship is knowing that soon, we'll all be scattered all over the country.  Some will be leaving (or have left) the Marine Corps to move home or start new adventures elsewhere. Some will be going to new bases, some will be staying here a little longer, and some are still waiting to find out what's next.  There will be no more girls nights or brunches or craft days with these girls, and that is a hard realization.  I know our friendships are strong and that we'll always be friends, but this is a going to be a really difficult change.
 
Another thing about California that I will always remember is how many new things I experienced here.  This was the first real house we ever had together as a couple (although we rented it).  The Mr.got his first promotion.  We conceived our first two children (though we were not lucky enough to get to meet them). Through the struggle to conceive those children, I had my first acupuncture and reiki treatments, gave myself injections for the first time (a huge accomplishment for someone who passes out at the sight of needles), and participated in two walks to raise money and awareness for infertility.  I loved reiki so much, I got certified to practice it.  I went on a zipline despite my fear of heights and motion sickness, and it was awesome!  I pushed myself to go alone to LA to attend a makeup class I was interested in even though it made me incredibly anxious.  I flew by myself for the first time ever (terrifying).  I experienced my first wildfire evacuation.  I kayaked in the freezing Pacific. I participated in the Color Run, which was a very cool experience.  These are only a few of the things that really stood out to me, but you get the picture.
   
California, I will not miss your nanny laws, your bland food, your wildfires, your terrible phlebotomists, your idiot drivers, or not having air conditioning.  What I will miss are all the things that remind me of the last three years.  My life has changed so much.  And though I went through some of the hardest times of my life during the last three years, I feel like I will take so many good things from my experience here.  So, thank you for the experiences and the memories, California.  :)