I handed in my keys to sweet 608...my first place on my own.
Now, I've been living in my new place for a month with my super awesome roommate, but technically I still had the little apartment until the end of July. Having keys to two places at a time was quite interesting. Many times I caught myself trying to use the other key to get in the wrong house. Oh well.
As I turned in my keys today, I was full of mixed emotions. My keys felt lighter and I didn't have the annoying gate card anymore. Which by the way, is the most annoying thing ever when it is raining. But needless to say, I drove out of the Overlook with it in my rear-view mirror and I smiled through the tears.
This is probably boring to anyone else, but my parents. But I began thinking about the 12 months I spent living there and the lessons learned...
- Everyone should live alone at some point in their life
- When you run out of toothpaste, there isn't anyone down the hall to borrow from
- You quickly learn that if you don't pick up after yourself, no one will know
- Deep cleaning a 1 bedroom apartment can be done in 2 hours
- The noisy neighbors upstairs become a comfort sound at night to know you are not alone
- 608 became a place to grow friendships
- You can sit alone and eat ice cream without anyone getting on to you
- Carrying grocery bags up the stairs becomes a talent
- Coming home to an empty apartment can do craziness with your head
- When your apartment has hills, don't drive when it is icy
- Never under estimate the space of a 1 bedroom... anything can be done
I could go on and on, but sweet 608 will always be such a fun memory. As I was cleaning this past weekend and taking down my famous vinyl letters, "Make each day your masterpiece", it was the sign that the transition to adult life was over. (Pause... I am no way saying I have this adult life thing figured out, more I have my feet wet and it is time to just swim along.) 608 severed as the transition place for me to merge college life into adult life. Now, it is all adult life. I found myself putting out less college stuff in my new places and packing up boxes for home to store. Now, I am not saying that I am completely done with college, but the my life is transitioning into adult life. A new life with new beginnings and new challenges. Although, I am proud of my collection of stuffed Alphies and the memories we have shared, it is time to move to the next chapter God has for me.
This past year has been nothing short of amazing. I am so excited about what this next year has in store. I am reminded of this quote, “God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.” Francis Chan, Crazy Love.
I think back a year ago moving to a completely new town and literally being on my own, to where I am now. Loving the town, loving community, but most importantly, loving being more in love with God than every before.
Thank you sweet 608, you taught more than you will ever know.
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