Happy Birthday, Sara!

My best friend is celebrating her 25th birthday today! She's a very special person. I could write blog post after blog post about the memories, the reasons I love her, and the moments I cherish more than any other. She's my sister, my confidant, my shoulder to lean on, my rock. I always tell her that I really lucked out gaining a best friend as amazing as she is. She'll deny it - but she's truly the best! 

I know she isn't a fan of the show Sex and the City like I am, but I often am comparing our friendship to the bonds that Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda display on the show. I just recently re-watched all of the seasons in the spring and am brought back to two quotes spoken by Carrie during her monologues in the show: 

"It's hard to find people who would love you no matter what. I was lucky to find three of them." 

"Maybe our girlfriends are our soulmates, and the guys are just people to have fun with."

Sara, 

On your birthday I want you to be reminded that I love you to the moon and back. We have both been through our fair share of heartaches, tribulations and trials, joys and successes, and happiness. You have been by my side from the moment we bonded over Tegan and Sara and DDR. I thank the stars often that I have you in my life. I truly believe that you are my soulmate, that we were meant to be friends because of fate. Everything happens for a reason, and having your friendship in my life has made me a more open-minded, trusting, and loyal human being. You have taught me what it means to love and be loved and to be trusted and respected. I am so happy that I get to help you ring in your 25th year together! Camping, bonding, and TEGAN AND SARA! 

Happiest birthdays to you, sister. Keep smiling and being the you that I love! 

xoxo 

Melissa 

My Last Night.

Today is my last full day in Calgary. Tonight is my last night. Tomorrow I'm off to New Brunswick. I'm excited to be home to see family, friends, and to be back in the Maritimes. But the closer it got to the time I had to leave, the more I realized how much I'm going to miss it here in Calgary.

Calgary is a great city! It's also a young city. And there are a lot of people out there that have a similar story to myself. Lots of people are from elsewhere and have come to Calgary in search of the same thing I did - work and experience. However, I am leaving with so much more than that.

Firstly, I'm leaving 32lbs behind in Calgary. That's right, since moving to Calgary and starting my weight loss journey, I've lost a total of 32lbs. I'm a runner now too! So many lifestyle changes it's crazy! But it's also for the better.

Secondly, I am so much more independent now. I moved out here in hopes of discovering within myself the ability to live away from major support systems (ie: the family). I know this might sound bad, but I just needed to know if I was capable of being responsible for my own well being. I don't know if I am making any sense when I say this, and I don't want it to sound like I am some sad human being (because I don't think I am and I need a social life!) but I just needed to know if I would be okay alone. In a good way. And I was. And I am. 

Next, I fell in love with the city life. As a small town country girl, there was some aspect of being sheltered that came with growing up. I don't resent it in the least, and I LOVE where I came from. But I quickly learned after living in Calgary that I am a city girl. I love that there is always something to do, someone new to meet, something new to see. I was constantly discovering new areas of the city, and falling in love with the mixture of bustling, busy city going and laid back, relaxing country living. It's the best of both worlds out here, and I am so glad I discovered it. 

But most importantly in my books, I am leaving after having made some amazing friends and built stronger relationships with the ones I already had. The people I have met here are some of the most diverse, unique, generous, and beautiful people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. To be honest with you and myself, I only felt like Calgary was becoming a home and that I was meant to be here four or five months ago. Mostly after coming back from Christmas holidays. My relationships were becoming stronger, I was feeling comfortable at work, I loved my apartment, and I wasn't afraid to explore the city. And now I'm leaving...

And I'm okay with that. As much as I am going to miss it, I know that this upcoming adventure is one that will continue to change my life and allow me to discover new parts of myself. I'll continue to grow, and that can only be a good thing in my opinion.

But I know I'll be back.