Dear Boston
Dear Boston,
When I came to you, YOU were a big new beginning for me. A small-town upbringing blended right into a small-town college experience (well, it wasn’t quite that smooth but we’ll pretend), and while Boston always felt like a comfort zone, it didn’t feel like home right away. It was loud, it was chaotic, it was unfamiliar. Fortunately, that changed pretty quickly with the help of some very special groups of people that I am going to miss immensely. Words will never do any of you justice, but again, I try.
To The Kick It Instructors: Thank you for launching me out of my comfort zone into what would inevitably be my passion in life. While I’ve been lucky enough to have supportive women around me growing up, I’ve never experienced anything quite like this group. I hope you realize that what you’re doing is IMPORTANT and SPECIAL and I hope you never stop spreading the good word of the Fempire. I hope you never stop loving and supporting each other fiercely & without hesitation. You are so special & I’m so proud to know every single one of you. Eliza – get ready, we’re taking this ish to the West Coast. This ain’t even close to goodbye.
To The Handle Bar Fam: Oof, this one hurts. If someone told me years ago that I would truly find myself in a dark room with blaring music and 40 strangers, I’d probably be pretty terrified. But that’s exactly what happened. Thank you to the riders for welcoming me with open arms and teaching me so much more than I ever taught you. Thank you for being raw, vulnerable, & really freakin strong. Thank you to the instructors for becoming some of my best friends & greatest supporters. The talent that lives within all of you is scary powerful and I can’t wait to watch where it takes you. Jess Frac – I hope you realize the magic that lives and thrives within the community you have created. Thank you for believing in me.
To The ALKrew: Ha, you guys aren’t getting rid of me that easily. I’m thrilled to keep hustling with you guys from the West Coast, but that doesn’t change what a huge part of my life you’ve been thus far. Kate, Lauren, KC, Leah, Becca - Thanks for teaching me what it means to be a businesswoman & for always inspiring. Mark – thank you for your unwavering trust and support, I won’t let you down!
To my family, friends, & those who have become a little bit of both: You guys can only expect to hear from me MORE…but I’m going to miss your faces! Please continue to be the wonderful humans you are – I don’t ever want to know a world without you. To my sisters, Grace, Isabelle, & Hannah – be bold. Be brave. Be the smart young women you are and don’t let high school convince you that being smart isn’t “cool.” Always have each other’s backs even if you disagree, and know that I have yours. To all of the people in this category – you know I won’t let you forget about me. I love you all. Some of you already have visits scheduled…if you don’t, I’m waiting! None of this works without your love & support, so thank you.
To Ryan: From the moment you became mine, you became home. Thank you for pushing me to realize my potential in Boston & for helping to give me the confidence to make this move. Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?
Ahh, deep breaths. Reading all of that back, I quickly noticed how many times I wrote the words “love” and “support”. The perfectionist in me admittedly looked for some synonyms…but decided to leave it. Boston, I can’t fit you in my suitcase but that love and support is something that is packed down deep & will stay with me forever. You hold my heart, my family, & all of the other things that make up who I am today. You’re still a little chaotic but you are no longer unfamiliar and I think maybe I’m ready for some more of that. There’s never a right or easy time, just time. And it’s moving quickly. Keep me posted on what you’re doing with it, Boston – I’ll see you soon.
XO,
E
