Moving to the Windy City! Just Kidding…

A year and a half ago, Max began to pursue his dream job. It took a million interviews, trips across the country and loads of work but three weeks ago, he got an offer.

I spent the past year anxiously envisioning myself in different states, trying to come to terms with the fact that one day, he would land the job and the entire course of my future would change.

If you know me, you know that I disfavor change, especially when it means moving to a state I have never even visited. Max dipped my toes into the idea of moving to Illinois the same way he did while interviewing for other out of state positions, “Françoise look up Naperville, Illinois, doesn’t it look cool?” I didn’t realize that in three weeks time, that search would turn into “Things to do in Naperville, Illinois” instead.

We booked it to Naperville the same week he got the offer, toured too many apartments for my head to stay on straight, signed a lease, and started packing in the course of seven days. Having two weeks to say my goodbyes and slowly fade out of the village that surrounded me in Minnesota was crushing, and feeling everyones sorrow to see me leave was even worse. Alright, this isn’t a sob fest.

In any case, it was hard to leave the home I had built and even harder to pack all of it up. I didn’t realize I owned so many clothes… We stuffed a giant U-Haul, full to the brim, hitched the car to it (that was loaded too), and set off on the six hour drive to our new life.

I never noted how difficult moving was because of the many hands that have aided me to do so throughout my life. Let’s just say the process was merciless on us. If there’s a silver lining it’s that I can now add “able to lift mattress” to my resume!

Good thing this endeavor was an unsuspected bonding experience for Max and I because he’s the only person I’ll know in Illinois!

I can’t wait to visit Chicago and get to know this new town I’ll be calling home.

The title of this piece is dedicated to everyone who, after hearing that I am moving to Naperville, still wished me luck in Chicago. lol.