Two Weeks in the Tri-Cities...

I grew up here. Born at Kadlec, lived in Kennewick, and lastly, attended Kamiakin High School prior to taking off for the Great Northwest and attending Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. Ever since I can remember, my parents would pile us in the car and we would make the 5 hour trek across the mountains to my grandparents house in Bellevue, WA. When everyone sat complaining about the rain outside, I remember feeling refreshed, comfortable, cozy even! I knew in my heart of hearts that I would land myself on the west side of the mountains sometime in my life, I just wasn't sure when...

As soon as high school was done, I made the break. Bellingham was quaint, cozy and beautiful. There was, and is, no place like it. I fell in love there, walked downtown with Kyle while sipping hot cocoa on our first of many dates and decided, at a later date, to get married there as well.

Today is October 17th, 2006, and I have been out of the Tri-Cities for 9+ years now. Kyle and I have moved south from Bellingham and live within about 20 minutes of downtown Seattle, Katie and William - as far as I can tell - enjoy the refreshing rain and beautiful greenery that they've been born into, and I get to sip hot coffee everyone morning while looking out my window at the lush western washington 'tropics', sometimes surprisingly cloudless blue skies, the abundance of greenery, and last but not least, I get to anticipate the 10 minute drive to view the beautiful San Juan Islands... take my dogs to the beach... ride a ferry across the Puget Sound... or walk downtown Seattle and experience the diversity that only comes with a larger city.

Today I am here in Kennewick in the midst of my two week stay while my parents travel Switzerland together. I have driven my younger sister, Hannah, to school every morning and watched her volleyball games/practices most week nights. I have seen parts of this town that I have not seen since high school - neighborhoods, high school friends' houses, stores and shops. Yes, my mother and father comment on the ease it would mean for Kyle and I to just move over here and have them within a stone's throw... more date nights, kids closer to their grandparents, less phone calls and more time together, etc.
Though all this sounds wonderful to me, it can't quite compete with the connection my heart has to Western Washington. I don't believe I'll ever leave that place - I don't think I'll ever end up back where my roots are... yet I've heard that from others and have been increasingly surprised to see whose 'back' whenever I speak to my Mom during one of our many phone conversations or visit the sagebrush city myself.

Here I feel too exposed, unearthed, vulnerable, maybe even too emotional... there I feel cozy, secure, independant and like an adult. All these factors cause me to anxiously await my return to the Seattle area everytime I come over. I enjoy my time here and I love the time spent with my family and the priority it is for me to be here for lengthy visits won't change yet my desire to make it my permanent home has not increased...

Sorry Mom. I really think you, Dad and Hannah should consider a move over to the rainy side of the state! Just think, you'd be closer to the grandkids, Kyle and I could have more date nights, there'd be more time together and less time on the phone... just consider it.

I love each of you dearly.