To Pittsburgh

Everyone tells you that your college years are some of the most formative years of your life. Being out on your own is wildly different in every way: it impacts who you meet, what you do, where you are. I truly consider the past 4 1/2 years my personal metamorphosis, and there are so many people to thank for their help in making me who I am today.

I remember visiting Chatham on my college road trip and being so completely overwhelmed at the immediate effect it had on me. Despite traveling through four other states and seeing countless other schools, not one ever entered my mind as a contender with Chatham. I felt instantly at home there, and instantly at home in this city. When I came back for Accepted Students Day, it was the first time I had ever entered the city at night from the Fort Pitt Bridge-- seeing the city all lit up, with its backdrop of bridges and rivers--it was life-altering.

Over the years, and especially after moving out here full-time, I fell even more in love with the city. I learned its roads, and how to deal with its drivers (to the best of my midwest, suburban abilty), and many of its mysteries. I worked here, I played here, and I still feel as though I have truly LIVED here. This city has helped me achieve my independence as I never could have done somewhere else, and I will always love it here.

In four years, I have made (and in some cases lost) some wonderful friends. Though some may say that it's the preemptive nostlagia taking over at this point, I am so thankful to all of you (though there are far too many to thank all of you by name). Know that I take with me only the good memories, and I will always cherish them. But most importantly, Pittsburgh led me to find and fall in love with one of the most amazing people on this earth, and that is something I cannot place a value on. Anthony and I will always have our first memories here, and I know I speak for both of us when I say that Pittsburgh will always be special to us for that reason alone.

I will miss this city. I'll miss its crazy random fog and driving through the empty streets of downtown at 5 in the morning on my way to work. I'll miss the different neighborhoods, and all the wonderful things that each one has to offer. I'll miss the Strip District on Saturday mornings; Phipps on a quiet weekday afternoon. I'll even miss the crazy sports fanatics here, because even if I never got into it, it is wonderful to see a city whose population supports it so unconditionally. I think I'll even miss Pittsburgh Lefts (though admittedly, not for long). I'll miss the Warhol, pretentious though it is, and I'll miss all the bridges too. I'll miss the spires of the PPG Place and ice skating there in the winter. I'll miss my school. I'll miss being able to take friends and family to all of the special restaurants and bars that I've fallen in love with over the years. I will miss driving through the tunnels to come into the city, blasting "Landslide" and yes, feeling infinite.

I know San Diego, and the road to getting there, are going to be just as full of potholes as the Pittsburgh streets. It's going to be bumpy, and it's going to take getting used to. But the thrill of it all is going to outweigh all of that. I am so excited for this new phase in our life, and I cannot wait for it to begin.