Trust Feelings and Take Chances

Dear Daughter,

Here I sit, boxes packed - thinking back on the last 12 years of my life here in Cleveland, and trying to remember who I ever was before I found this city. This city - and all of the people I've met here - is home to me.

In this city, I became a better version of myself through the amazing people I met along the way:

My coaches and teachers, who believed in me and taught me how to pursue big dreams.

My teammates (plus a few select randoms :)) who instantly became my truest, deepest friends - the ones I've been blessed to experience all of the best memories in life with.

My first boyfriend of eight years and true love, who taught me how much I could love someone, and be loved by someone. He opened my eyes to a world (literally, other parts of the world) I had never known, and was my rock and best friend through the years where we were growing and changing the most. He still inspires - and I'm blessed knowing the bond we shared will last a lifetime, regardless of where in this world we are.

My bosses and coworkers - who have become my second family, and who have motivated me to learn faster, work harder and laugh more than ever before. Every day I've spent with each of you over the last few years is one I'll look back on with gratitude.

It's amazing really, how you can think you've got it all figured out, then realize there's an entirely new world that awaits you. A scary and exciting world - ready test you, and break you, only to (hopefully) build you into someone you never imagined you could be.

I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter of my life in Cincinnati, where I grew up and where the rest of my heart - my whole family - still lives. I'm equally excited about jumping off a cliff into the crazy world of entrepreneurship, fulfilling my lifelong dream of owning a business before I turn 30. And I'm optimistic about all the fun times that lie ahead!

But more than anything, I'm thankful for all those in my life there to support me through this transition. It's going to be hard at times - and I know that. But I'm hopeful it will be worth it - so here's to trusting feelings, takings chances, finding happiness, learning from the past and realizing that everything in life changes!