So back in January 2012, my mom had a trip planned to go to Chicago for her job. (I don't feel like explaining what she does right now.) Now at this point in my life, I had never, EVER been on a plane. I had also never been above the Mason-Dixon line nor any further West than Kentucky and Tennessee. (I have yet to go out of the country as well.) So my mom had this awesome idea that she would take me on this trip and we would spend an extra day there to explore the city. I immediately agreed because hey, I love adventures.
So I get on my first plane and I'm like nervous beyond belief and excited too. I made mom take a picture of me on the plane because that's what cool people do. She was even nice enough to give me the window seat. I knew she loved me. So we are just chilling on the plane waiting for take off. I'm getting more and more nervous. Why? Well I'm quite terrified of heights. So that was a problem but mom assured me it would be okay. Of course I knew that but I was still having a mini freak out session.
So the plane takes off. I kid you not I held on so tight to my mom's hand, it probably turned white. Granted taking off is cool but that angle gets to me. So we level off and I simmer down. We finally start coming into Chicago after what feels like forever. Can I just say that Chicago is absolutely beautiful from the air? I mean wow. Wish I had a picture of that. So anyway. The landing was way better than I thought it would be. Yay for awesome pilots.
So we get off the plane and get our luggage and rent our car then head to the hotel before we explore the city. So we do all that and then we go explore the amazing city of Chicago. Now I'm a small town Southern girl. This was my first experience in a true big city. I loved it. Way more than I thought I would. Now before I tell you how the trip changed me, let me just share some pictures with you.
I mean come on, how could you not fall in love with city? Now let me be honest. While I was there, I didn't really fall head over heels. I mean I liked the city and I thought it was awesome and new. But I didn't really think I could live there.
So fast forward to now. Present time. This trip changed me. Has been changing me. I just didn't realize it until now. Like literally, yesterday morning. I have always been an adventurous person. I love new things and I get fidgety being in one place for too long. My father has always told me and other people that I would be the one to fly the nest and that I would be the one to move away from where I grew up, leave the state and be perfectly happy. I would always laugh and say yeah you're probably right. I would dream about one day leaving and exploring but I always felt like it was just that, a dream. Nothing more, nothing less. I have thought about Chicago a lot since that trip, but never really lingered on it. I never really considered it. But i have never really felt like Greensboro was where I belonged. There are even days when Boone can't quiet this desire I have. I just never gave it a second thought because I figured I would never have the opportunity.
Now don't read this the wrong way. I am not planning to move to Chicago. Honestly, I've given up this idea of planning anyway. But now that I am single, I see the world and my future in a whole new perspective. I have always been pretty independent. Not afraid to talk to people or to try something new. Since I'll be graduating in the next year and a half, I've obviously been thinking about my future. I have had multiple talks with some of my close friends, my roommates, my sister, and my parents about my future and my options. Through these talks I have come to the conclusion that I probably won't stay in Greensboro or Boone or even North Carolina very long after I graduate. I have an itch in my soul that spreads into my entire being. I have such a freedom right now. I want to see new things and go to new places. I want to find myself and inspire other young women and maybe even men.
So what exactly am I saying? Well what I'm saying is something that I have actually literally been saying a lot these days. I would drop everything and pick up and move across the country or even over seas if an opportunity presented itself. No joke. I would be gone. This idea terrifies a lot of my friends and probably even my family a little bit. But you see I'm lucky because my family has been preparing for this for a long time now and because of that, they are really supportive. Sad? Well yes of course but they love me and they want me to be happy. I can honestly say that I feel the Lord preparing me for big changes and for big things. I have a hard time controlling the desire I have to just pick up and leave. Don't think I'm running away though because that's not at all what it is. I just want to live and learn and grow as a person and grow in God. I am getting ancy just typing this post.
I say all of this to really say just this one thing: the Lord is control and His plans are way better. I don't know for sure where I'm supposed to be but I do know that if I keep trusting God, He will get me there. So Chicago, I might be seeing you again. You stole my heart and I didn't even know it.
All my love, Carly ♥