Taking off (from) the mitten

I can't believe the day is finally here! I've longed to leave Michigan, to live in a new state, to explore new places and enjoy a respite from the bitter cold of a Michigan winter, but now that the time has finally come for me to leave, it's certainly bittersweet. I will miss this home state of mine. My family was born and has lived here for generations. In fact, my grandma just moved back to Michigan after nearly 20 years retirement in Florida.

I'll miss my friends and co-workers, new and old. I'll miss my volleyball teams and my spinning and yoga comrades and instructors. I'll miss biking to work (though I won't miss the rude drivers!). I'll miss walking around downtown Ann Arbor, sipping a margarita outside at Prickly Pear, browsing through Falling Water, eating Aloo Palak at Madras Masala. Concerts at the Ark and movies at the Michigan.

I'll miss the beaches of Lake Michigan, my favorite place in the world, a place I've always found solace and peace. I'll miss the changing colors and driving through the tunnel of trees near Traverse City and Petoskey. I'll miss the Mighty Mac and my favorite lighthouse. I'll miss biking around Mackinac Island, eating fudge and hearing the clip clop of horses.

I'll miss Detroit sports and the motor city. I'll miss ice sculpture festivals (yes I realize it has to be cold for these to happen) and drinking hot cocoa after snowshoeing.

I was just saying yesterday that I feel a sense of loyalty to Michigan. It's been good to me and my family over the years and I do what I can to give back. I feel guilty "jumping ship" with so many people leaving the state because of the poor economic conditions and the tank of the automobile industry. Part of me wants to stay to help rebuild, to take pride in our state, to buy local and build it back to what it once was. I see the potential the mitten has. And it's good.

But for now, my calling is elsewhere and I'm excited to explore, meet new people, discover new places and have adventures. I'll dip my toes in the ocean, bike to the Duke gardens and hike through the Smokies in the coming months. But I know one thing is for sure... My heart will always be in Michigan.