Perhaps not the most iconic of San Francisco’s bridges to use as the backdrop for our announcement, but it’s pretty rare that a photo of the two of us doesn’t look completely ridiculous, so goofy smiles aside, I’m going with it. The Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and a distant Oakland constitute as good a segue as any:
WE’RE MOVING TO SAN FRANCISCO!
(If I could have a quick sidebar to say that I would like for my dear, Connecticut-based friend Debbie to read that in all lower case, with a sad face following each letter, that would be just great. In fact, pretend the letters were typed with such sorrow that they’re actually hanging upside down. Thank you.)
I honestly don’t even know how to break this news properly. I thought of starting with a nice anecdote to lead you into it, maybe a quick two-step to keep you entertained, but I’ve got nothing. I am both so overwhelmed with joy and just so plain ol’ overwhelmed that I’ve lost all but a knack for the God’s Honest Truth. How sterile! Perhaps a little backstory?
If you’ve read this blog for long (or talked to me in person for more than about 15 seconds), you know that my whole family is in California, that it’s where I was born and raised, and that it boasts the type of temperate climate I sob for each winter when New England suffocates under several feet of snow. So I’d like to say that this move has been in the works for months, or even that going to San Francisco was my idea, but I’d be lying on both counts. We’re not moving for me, nor for my disdain of snowshoes.
Glen’s been sniffing around for new job opportunities for awhile now with no real success. As his loyal Old Lady, I told him to look anywhere in these great United States he pleased, and that I would follow him wherever his aspirations dictated. I was not disappointed when he told me that, for the direction he wished to take his career, the Bay Area (a mere 1 hour and 45 minutes from my family) was our best bet. So he kept his eye out for the right job listing, and for months came up dry. No big deal, we’re in no hurry; we kind of like it here. But then, in quite a bit less than the span of a month, Glen found and applied for an outstanding job opening in San Francisco, was contacted, phone interviewed, flown to CA (I tagged along last minute), in-person interviewed for two days, formally offered and accepted a position. Somewhere in there it snowed in Connecticut, too, and I think I remembered to breathe once or twice. Whirlwind, much?
All along the way, his new employer continually impressed us with kindness and generosity, and is proceeding to make this ordeal — as daunting as it is — relatively painless. But get this: We move in three weeks.
THREE. WEEKS.
Whaaaaaaat? Yeah. Nuts. But whatever. Luckily, we’re being moved (meaning no U-Haul will be involved in this process — HALLELUJAH!), so between orchestrating packing and moving stuff, shipping and driving cars, hosting and attending a couple of parties, tying up loose ends (both personal and professional), Christmas shopping, and saying goodbye to one half of our friends and family in order to say hello to the other, it will all get done. Right? Please tell me it will be fine?
And I guess that brings me to the business side of things. In all honestly, I am terrified to move my business. I’ve begun to develop a wonderful client (and friend!) base here that I am loath to leave behind. But I fully recognize that I’m not starting from scratch, and that this move gives me the freedom to start booking events again (I’d been holding off on booking 2011 weddings in CT since we haven’t had a clear future for six or so months now). The thought of having to reestablish myself (in a much larger, denser market, no less) may give me palpitations of a grave nature, but it can be done. It will be done. And although this sets us back a few (hundred) years in terms of our homeownership goals (thanks, Bay Area real estate!), I have to admit I’m more than a little excited. Opportunities are what you make of them, right?
With this move will come some other pretty significant changes to this business, which will probably happen around the start of the year. But I can’t even think about them now without getting a little lightheaded, so they will all be dealt with in due time.
My plan is to come back to Connecticut regularly (at least twice a year), and I am still open and willing to book Connecticut weddings with minimal travel fees (flight only, which usually runs about $300). I would also love to book children and family sessions while I’m in town. Below is a form to add your name to my Connecticut mailing list — fill it out and I will send a general notice when I’m going to be in town and available for shoots. For 2011, I already know I’ll be back for about three weeks spanning June and July, so if you’re interested in those dates, there’s no time like the present to let me know!
CT Mailing List Sign-Up
If you’re a client directly affected by this move, you can expect a more detailed email from me shortly. Once I’m able to wrap my head around all of this, I mean.
And in parting, I give you a more accurate representation of our relationship: Me, being a goofball and clutching something (be it cup of hot tea or blanket) to keep warm, while Glen doodles around on his phone. This is about 90% of our lives (although Glen would like me to say that a lot of the time he is also doing something goofy with me, which is true). I am sort of in love with this photo… and everything that it represents.
Here’s to the future — whatever it holds.
by Molly
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