It's Not Goodbye

I really hate goodbyes and I’ve never been very good at them.  I’m always scared of what will come next – how will I change? How will this relationship change? We will still have inside jokes? When will we see each other next?

For this big move, I said many goodbyes and while some people said, “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later”, for many of them it really will be goodbye.  Not everyone will be able to visit and staying in touch with someone halfway around the world takes a lot of effort from both sides.  That, coupled with all the ways I know I’m going to change that I can’t even fully fathom just yet, probably means I’m going to fall out of touch with some people. 

All that said, I had some pretty wonderful send-offs with many of my wonderful family and friends. 

 Sunday Funday with Jenny 

 I was on a mission to eat a lot of green chili.  This pizza from Whole Foods was sooooo good.  Whole Foods, I will miss you.  

My sister's in-laws have a neighborhood pool.  The burbs are good for something, I guess.  

One of Ben's favorite things to do with Brandon is "go flying."  Look at his little tush hanging out! 

 These two, just wrastlin' 

One last show at Red Rocks (Ryan Adams).  One that I nearly missed due to becoming a blubbering mess just before showtime.  Thankfully, my sweet boyfriend comforted me and we stayed for a a few songs and an amazing lightning show.  

My mom is a fantastic gardener, and one of my favorite things to do with her is play in the dirt.

First Friday

A couple of neighborhoods in Denver celebrate this on the, you guessed it, first Friday of every month.  Art galleries are open late and they serve drinks and food.  

 Amazing.  At Plinth. 

 Plinth again. 

After Plinth, there was a raging and violent storm, so we hung out at The Filling Station for quite awhile.  It might be my new favorite Denver bar. 

 Brandon, me and Uncle Carl.  Thankfully, UC was in town for a wedding and joined us.  He has been best friends with my dad since college. 

My sweet manfriend and me.

 I wanted to do lots of CO hiking, but we were busy and having CRAZY weather at all times.  Managed to sneak in a quick one at Chautauqua in Boulder.  

Well Chaaauuutaaaauqua.  It's a special place for me and Bran. 

The Flatirons.

Brunch at Lala's in Denver, followed by mani/pedis at Helena's in Capitol Hill.  One of the best mani/pedis we've ever had. 

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is a special place for our family.  My mom has a timeshare at Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and we spend a lot of time there every summer.  This summer, we had TWO trips planned, but I would miss both, so we headed up for just one day.   

 It was drizzly and cold, but we hiked anyways.  These two have become the best of friends.  It really warms my heart.  

Rainbow Lake.  I love these people so much it's stupid. 

 Back at Grand Lodge we spent the SUNNY (it rained all day in Denver...suckers) afternoon at the pools.  Brandon didn't want to drink with us and, for this, he was harshly judged. 

 Brandon does this really fun thing when he talks on the phone where he paces around like a maniac.  Here, he's talking to Davis and my sister is making fun of him.  They both have ridiculous hair-dos. 

Again.  These two.  Peas in a fucking pod.  Both bumming around in the morning on their electronic devices.

Date Night

At my request, because I'm super low-maintenance like that, Brandon planned a date night for us.  We went to Marcyzk burger night, which I was SO excited about because our plans the previous week were foiled by the aforementioned CRAZY weather.  Then, we bar crawled down Colfax.  It was so perfect and fun and Denver and us.  

 The Colfax Crawl included a pit stop to watch the sunset on the Capitol steps.  Seriously so perfect.

Concert at 1UP with this handsome fella. 

Brunch and Five Points

We had a group brunch at The Tavern Downtown and then bopped around Five Points.  Not pictured here are Nancy, Ryan, Paul, Nerida

My favorite picture ever taken. 

Heather, Hannah and me.  Hometown hunnies.

 My adorable mama and me at The Big Wonderful.  Seriously can't wait to be her when I grow up.

Dresden and Levar are some of my favorite people I've met at DaVita.  They joined us at The Big Wonderful. 

 Me, Bran, Dad, Emily and Mom at Los Chignones.

Me and Emmers at The Meadowlark. 

Arizona Visit

Brandon and I went to see my grandpa in Arizona.  I wish I would've gotten a picture of the two of them because Brandon treated him like he was his own and it was the most endearing thing to see.  In case you didn't already know, he's a good egg.  I'm so glad B got to meet him and that we got to spend some quality (albeit brief) time with him. 

 Me and Grandpa at Grill on the Green (someone was hitting our rental car in the parking lot during this).  He's the kindest man I've ever known (my Gpa, not the hit and runner). 

AZ sunsets cannot be beat. 

 Tucked him in for a nap and then headed out of town.

 Had to stop at In 'N Out on the way to the airport.

Being this kid's Tante is my favorite thing in the world.  We had a special date night and went to the Children's Museum, Proto's for "pepperoni peeefa" and snuggled in bed watching Despicable Me.  I love every second I get to spend with him and that we have "our" things.  

 Water World!  I love this place and we had a blast!

Happy Hour and Rockies Game
(We watched none of the game, but had fun anyways!  Not pictured:  Neil, Matty, Mr. Massaro, Nancy, Kari, Andy and Jonny)

 Angie!!  One of my work besties.  I will miss her immensely. 

Steph, Em, Me, Amie, Dad (thanks for this), Sara, KC, Kels at Breckenridge Brewery pre-game. 

KC, Hannah, myself and Kelsey.  Some of my best girlfriends from high school.  I hadn't seen Kelsey in over a year and she drove up from her home in Pueblo, CO for the evening's festivities. 

 Bridget was my best friend in high school.  She and her husband Neil both came downtown from up north. 

I don't know who these weirdos are.

New girl (can't remember her name), Abby, Steph, Sara, Me, Jules, Hannah and Kelsey.  You girls light up my life.  Thank you for being you. 

 Denver's Westword Music Showcase for my brother-in-law's birthday.  Don't we all look dashing in our headgear?

Me and Bran.

Father's Day with dear ol' D-A-D at the Rockies Game. 

My first real job was at Denver law firm Holland & Hart and I worked with these two.  We have all remained very close through years of moves, marriages, babies, new jobs, etc. and I love having them in my life as wonderful examples of female awesomeness.  SO missed this evening were Lauren and Bridget -- they are part of our "gang" and they are fabulous.  

I love treating myself to a day at the spa.  Brandon and I got a couple's massage at the Four Seasons and then spent the afternoon lunching and lounging at the pool (with bubbles, natch). 

Brandon left for Nashville very early, so I stayed up to catch one last sunrise over the MHC.

And then it really was goodbye…

Me and my sister (of course we were accidentally color-coordinated).

 Hugs!

 Mama, me and Ben.  He's so great at posing for pictures. 

Final kissies.  Please forgive my greasy-ass hair.

I wish I had gotten some snaps of me and Brandon and of me and Dad at the airport with all the luggage.  (Me forgetting to take pictures will become a theme).