Numbers

Holy wow, it's been so long since my last blog post!! It's not to say I missed blogging, because I did. I've had so much to say, and so much change has taken place since the last blog post. I have been writing this "welcome back" post in my head for MONTHS! I wanted to think about not just what I wanted to say, but how I want to say things. Since it's been so long, I thought it might be easier to look at the changes that have taken place by looking at numbers. Don't worry, no complicated math here. Read on for more. 

18 - the number of months since my last blog post (yikes!) 

5 - the number of years I devoted to a relationship that ultimately failed (after one brief attempt at reconciliation) 

2 - the number of weeks I spent on my first trip to Europe last year "to find myself" aver the failed relationship

2 - the countries I visited - France and Germany

1 - the incredible man I met in Germany (who's French)

 

34,460 - the number of miles we've traveled from Boston to Paris since December to see each other 

3 - the number of times I've been to Paris since my first trip last fall

1 - engagement

1 - upcoming wedding in Paris

1 - one half marathon run this year, and the next one being run on 10/13

7 - months I've been taking French lessons (and I'm barely speaking)

In my upcoming posts, I'll share more details about these past 18 months, and focus on the exciting adventures ahead. It's been one hell of a bumpy ride, but I've emerged happier, healthier, and far more excited about the future. 

So on that note, I'll leave you with a picture from my first trip to Paris last year - the trip that changed everything for me. 

 

A Letter From Africa

Yesterday I received my first letter from Africa. As many of you know, my friend Kelly is pursuing her life-long dream of serving in the Peace Corps. She left in June and as hard as it was to say good bye to one of my dearest friends for the next two-and-a-half years, I couldn't help but be proud of what she was accomplishing and what she will have accomplished when she returns. But that's not what this post is about.

Yesterday I got my first letter from Africa. A letter. A simple piece of 8.5" x 11" loose-leaf notebook paper that had handwriting on it. MY letter. With the advent of the Internet, the written form has gone by the wayside. I think probably my last piece of written mail came from my Grandmother when I was still an undergrad. I miss those letters and it's the one thing I'll never forget about my Grandma.

There is nothing as exciting as getting something with your name scrawled on it - you KNOW that person was thinking about you. You know they cared enough to write you a letter, mistakes and all.

So thank you to Kelly for embracing the new and posting about her adventures in Africa, but also for sending me my first letter in years. I will hold on to that letter forever and I'll be writing you one in return soon!