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| Eel Pout Festival |
A few months ago, Curtis and I came to a unexpected fork in the road when it came to our original "we should live in the same state" game plan, so decisions were weighed and made and plans were changed with the hope that in the coming months Des Moines would soon be home for us both.
Curtis moved first after securing a new job in West Des Moines. Boxes were packed, Felix the Cat found a new home (sorry, Felix!) and a lease was signed, and quickly our "normal" weekly drive of four hours was extended to almost six - us and I35 were going to continue to BBFs.
Then, it was my turn. I headed out into the job searching world once again, but this time with purpose. I knew I wanted to stay in the nonprofit sector and found myself continuing to be pulled to a position where I could build relationships and connect people who want to make a difference. After a couple of months of searching, I was offered the Director of Individual and Corporate Giving position with Orchard Place in Des Moines.
Orchard Place is a youth mental health organization that serves over 10,000 youth in Iowa annually and supports a cause very close to my heart. In the past two years I have seen the direct impact that mental health issues can have on a family, on a parent, on a kid. It hurts and it hurts hard and while it is not a something you talk about over dinner or hotdish, it is something that impacts so many families. When I interviewed for the role, I knew I could do it justice because I knew what was at stake and the importance of their work. Most importantly, I felt that I could truly make a difference.
As soon as I accepted the offer, tears started to flow. I was so happy for this new position and so happy to be moving with Curtis, but yet my heart hurt. I knew the goodbyes were soon to follow, goodbyes that I loath and can barely get through without a Kleenex in my hand. You see, it is never truly about saying goodbye to a job or a home, it is about saying goodbye to the people. It is the people that truly make all the difference.
During the last two years years, I have met so many amazing people and reconnected with old friends, my hometown and Central Minnesota. By far the best relationship I was able to work on was the one with my parents, who I spent so many hours connecting with all over again. I learned so much more about who they are now and who they were back then, and I am so proud to have them as my parents and as a source of inspiration.
Needless to say, the most impactful relationship that I gained while being a second-time Minnesota resident was during a pit stop while traveling through Iowa. A pit stop that wasn't suppose to happen that night or even at that bar. But I will forever be grateful for whomever help that pit stop happen because it was there at the OP in Clear Lake that I met Curtis and my life was changed. After countless miles commuting between North Iowa and Central Minnesota and hours upon hours of cell phone minutes, we are standing on the edge of our next big step together, and I couldn't imagine being in this adventure with anyone else.
So here we go, back to Iowa. I have realized that I may now hold the record for most times a person has moved to Iowa. First one for school, second one for work, and this one time, well as corny as it sounds (get it? Corny - Iowa?!? #sorrynotsorry), this one is for love.
To my dearest Minnesota - thank you. Thank you for the memories, the miles on the bike and that horrible lutefisk feed. Well, maybe not the actual lutefisk, but you get the idea. You helped me see why my childhood here was truly one of the best and why Minnesotans continue to hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to my final week as a resident and my old familiar role as a visitor.
Dear Iowa - you have been warned, this Minnesotan is coming back!
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| Shreddin' red in Riverton |
Then, it was my turn. I headed out into the job searching world once again, but this time with purpose. I knew I wanted to stay in the nonprofit sector and found myself continuing to be pulled to a position where I could build relationships and connect people who want to make a difference. After a couple of months of searching, I was offered the Director of Individual and Corporate Giving position with Orchard Place in Des Moines.
Orchard Place is a youth mental health organization that serves over 10,000 youth in Iowa annually and supports a cause very close to my heart. In the past two years I have seen the direct impact that mental health issues can have on a family, on a parent, on a kid. It hurts and it hurts hard and while it is not a something you talk about over dinner or hotdish, it is something that impacts so many families. When I interviewed for the role, I knew I could do it justice because I knew what was at stake and the importance of their work. Most importantly, I felt that I could truly make a difference.
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| Start of 100 miles! |
As soon as I accepted the offer, tears started to flow. I was so happy for this new position and so happy to be moving with Curtis, but yet my heart hurt. I knew the goodbyes were soon to follow, goodbyes that I loath and can barely get through without a Kleenex in my hand. You see, it is never truly about saying goodbye to a job or a home, it is about saying goodbye to the people. It is the people that truly make all the difference.
During the last two years years, I have met so many amazing people and reconnected with old friends, my hometown and Central Minnesota. By far the best relationship I was able to work on was the one with my parents, who I spent so many hours connecting with all over again. I learned so much more about who they are now and who they were back then, and I am so proud to have them as my parents and as a source of inspiration.
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| Morning kayak up north |
Needless to say, the most impactful relationship that I gained while being a second-time Minnesota resident was during a pit stop while traveling through Iowa. A pit stop that wasn't suppose to happen that night or even at that bar. But I will forever be grateful for whomever help that pit stop happen because it was there at the OP in Clear Lake that I met Curtis and my life was changed. After countless miles commuting between North Iowa and Central Minnesota and hours upon hours of cell phone minutes, we are standing on the edge of our next big step together, and I couldn't imagine being in this adventure with anyone else.
So here we go, back to Iowa. I have realized that I may now hold the record for most times a person has moved to Iowa. First one for school, second one for work, and this one time, well as corny as it sounds (get it? Corny - Iowa?!? #sorrynotsorry), this one is for love.
To my dearest Minnesota - thank you. Thank you for the memories, the miles on the bike and that horrible lutefisk feed. Well, maybe not the actual lutefisk, but you get the idea. You helped me see why my childhood here was truly one of the best and why Minnesotans continue to hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to my final week as a resident and my old familiar role as a visitor.
Dear Iowa - you have been warned, this Minnesotan is coming back!
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| Central MN Bike Club |
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