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Next Chapter

I try to self-enforce a rule not to write after 9:00 pm because I've learned more than once that I say really dumb things after that time 'cause there's something about nighttime that brings out the emotion in this girl.  But let's face it, it doesn't matter when I'd write this post...I'm going to feel a little emotional.

After my last post, I got several texts, a couple phone calls, a few emails, and a lot of...
"Okay, I wanna know what's going on"'s...

So, "what's going on" is that...I'm moving to Chicago.



For those of you wondering, it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from where I currently live...I realize, not a huge deal.  But there's something about that stretch of road between Chicago and my home that suddenly feels very long.  However, before I get into all that, here are the "dets"...uhem, I hear it's cool to shorten all the words, don't judge. :)

Who are you living with?
I will be living with two girls, who even though I haven't met...I REALLY like them already, just by hearing about them and talking through messages on Facebook!!  I'll be introducing them on here, if it's okay with them, in a post coming soon. :)

When are you moving?
It's not definite, but my goal is to be fully moved in sometime before Christmas...but that could easily change.

What will you be doing?
I will continue my photography business and although, I'll be a Chicago based photographer, I'll still be shooting all over...wherever my amazing clients come from...including back here at home.  As far as people booking and my clients, nothing will change...just my location. *Note: The Manual Workshop will still take place at same time, same place. :)

What made you decide to move?
My heart has been pulled to Chicago for a little over year now.  It's partly that I've always wanted to live in a big city for a short period of my life, partly that my business keeps pulling me up there, a lot of it is because it kind of scares me...in a good way...and I always feel compelled to do things that give me that good-scared feeling, but mostly because I feel God taking me there.  It's a decision I've wrestled with for over a year...and even though the opportunity that came was sudden, the decision to move was not.

How long will you be there?
Who can say really...but in my mind, I'm thinking 1-2 years.  I've got business goals in mind that match that timing, but it could be shorter or longer.

How are you feeling?
It depends on the day...no, the hour...okay, the minute. Let's be honest. I'm going to chalk that one up to the "girl card". :)  It makes me feel better.   But generally, I'm a pretty good mixture of excitement, nerves, and feeling very sentimental.  The thing is that I'd be feeling sentimental if I was moving across the street...moves always do that to me.  I'm sure you've gathered that I'm extremely involved in my family's lives...and there's something very sad about not being able to "drop in" as easily as I have, or babysit last minute that is truly one of my favorite things ever.  It's weird to think of missing Family Nights, not being able to get a quick opinion on an outfit, or meet up with Tara to swim.  But my family is extremely supportive of me and this move, so that makes everything a million times better.
I'll be honest, it's not until I made the decision to move, that I realized all the different people I'm involved with on a consistent basis...on one hand, it makes the move MUCH more difficult, and on the other hand, I have been soooo extremely thankful for the evidence of people's fingerprints on my life.  I don't feel like I'm making this move alone...because all my friends are supporting me...and I can't help but want to bottle up all this love and save it for a rainy day in the future.

But I'm also brimming with excitement for this new chapter.  I'm moving away from the most amazing group of people anyone in this world could know...I realize that.  But with this move, I'm also moving close to dear friends of mine...mostly new, some I've not even met yet, a lot of photographer friends, but also to one of my oldest and dearest friends.  I've been overwhelmed by how sweet my roommate-to-be (I've only talked to one so far!) has been and so incredibly accommodating.  I've had squeels of excitement, offers to help move, and people encouraging me that this will be a good thing.

I was just telling a friend today, "I feel incredibly lucky because I feel like I always get to live out the best scenarios in life.  Of course, it's been incredibly difficult at times, but it's always been more good than hard.  I have always loved each phase of my life more than the one I came from...and every time, I can't imagine it getting better, but somehow it does."  I really can't imagine it getting better than the life I live now...surrounded by an amazing group of friends, church, and of course, my family...but if the pattern of my life continues, I can only expect the best.    No doubt, I'll be blogging every step of this...lucky you. haha!  Consider yourself warned.

So even though I want to cry one minute, I also want to dance the next...maybe I'm bipolar. ;)  But I always think of a Dr. Seuss quote when a big life change happens and that is,
"Don't cry because it's over.  
Smile because it happened."   




17 comments:

Lauren said...

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAy!!!! This makes me so super happy I can't even stand it!!!!!!

Kasey said...

You know you have my vote of confidence! I love you, Tam and I'm so excited to see all that God has in store for you with this move!

Taryn said...

Tami, that is VERY exciting! I am glad you are able to do this... I feel like Chicago always came up in every conversation I had with you over the past year, and so it was obviously on your heart a lot.

Anyway, I loved your Q&A style post and I know Chicago will be a fantastic place for you to be. I feel like you will thrive there :) I love your open-mindedness and "okayness" with just letting it be whatever it needs to be... maybe 1 year, maybe 3, who can know?

I also identify and agree with your statement that you have been able to live out the best scenarios in your life... I, too am thankful for many fun opportunities and joys. (I personally think it has something to do with being single and free, hee hee) and there is definitely a blessing in that!

Wow, long post. OK, well extremely happy for you and will be praying for you as you transition.

Much Love- Taryn

~Christy said...

I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY!!! Such an awesome thing for you and I'm sure for your business too!! Call/write if you need anything! :)

alisonsutter said...

Um, I think we have the same emotions about this. I kind of want to cry and squeal at the same time. I'm very excited for you and I know it's a great opportunity, but I'm sad too. However, you will not be getting rid of me this easily. I will be visiting!!

emilykate said...

Good for you! Seriously! These steps aren't easy to make but I'm sure it will be so worth it. Can't wait to hear more details!

Britni said...

Awesome :)

evanhuntphoto.com said...

awesome Tami, loved reading this. We can't wait to have you, welcome!

christine said...

Wow! Yeah for us here in Chicagoland. Praying for the transitions ahead; His grace is ALWAYS sufficient.

Abi said...

Tami, we may not be the closest of friends, but I will definitely miss seeing you around church! And what will I do without you to sing next to?! No one can replace THE tami page! :)
Even so, I'm so excited for you and look forward to reading about all the fun and exciting things that you'll do! Just keep in mind that at some point, you will have to come back to take some pictures of my family...:)

smw said...

feeling these same things for you! :) so you can have a bipolar friend, too. :)

leah said...

oh man--i'm so excited, but feel a bit of sadness with you! love you my friend and we want to come visit you! :)

Sarah said...

I'm really excited for you! I definitely know the emotions that go along with moving away from family, but I also know that when God is in it, it will be better than you imagined:)

megs @ whadusay said...

So excited for you!!!

Daveana said...

Congratulations Tami! I'm so excited for you! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures!

Emilia Jane said...

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY I'm so excited. Drinks ASAP please

Aubrey said...

We are so thrilled to have your fabulous talent up in our neck of the woods. After our session, I have to say we weren't shocked to hear the news - and we are a wee bit jealous you get to experience the greatest city ever in full force when we are relegated to the burbs. ;)

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