Saying Goodbye: Queen Anne

From reading other people's blogs, and mildly stalking the few people I know in Viet Nam, I have learned this little trick. Well, trick may be a misnomer, in reality it is simply a way to mentally prepare myself for the goodbyes that are soon to happen (12 days soon for Seattle, eee!). So, you and I are about to enter into phase "saying goodbye" where I will focus on some of the specific things that I love about Seattle and will miss this next year. Here it goes...

Queen Anne

Although over this last year I have been a little self conscious about telling people that I live in Queen Anne, I secretly love it. Yes, it is affluent, and yes, there are families everywhere and the only place open past 10pm is Starbucks. But some of my favorite moments have been walking through the uppity residential streets of this little neighborhood I have been fortunate to live in. The houses are beautiful, and draw me in with their front porches, porch swings, stoops, gardens, etc. A good friend of mine taught me to always literally stop and smell roses, so a walk through QA always involves many rose stops, as well as some lavender. I love the intersection of Queen Anne Ave and Boston, where at one point there were 5 coffee shops! And I love my favorite, The Tea Cup and a good cup of Moroccan Mint Iced Tea. 

I have walked these streets so many times, taken in the city from Kerry Park, seen a proposal at Marshal park. I have gotten to know many people as we sat and talked through life changing picnics, deep and thoughtful questions, year reflections, car celebrations, and laughter that comes only from a place of pure joy. I learned to be on my own here, walking to and from the grocery store, appreciating time and space to just be me. It has been a home to me. And while I will probably never move back to Queen Anne even if I do return to Seattle, it will always be a part of who I am. Cheesy? Yes, but true!