October 14, 2019

I woke up to my cat, who I love, stepping on my face and my partner snoozing beside me.

We rent a lovely place in a great neighbourhood.

We have some debt, but we have savings.

We don't own a car, but we live close to lots of major bus routes and can walk or bike to pretty much anywhere except St Vital Mall or IKEA pretty easily.

John and I spend our days working, making food together, puttering around the house on little projects, and laughing a lot.

I have good, kind friends who care about me and lift me up when I need it, and who set me straight when I let my anxiety to get the better of me.

I still get anxious, but not as much as I used to.

It's been years since I talked to my parents and even though I didn't ask for this outcome, I like it this way.

I see my brothers from time to time. It still feels a bit weird, and being around them feels familiar in a way I guess only siblings understand.

I like getting to know them as adults, away from the chaos, on our own terms.

I don't see my Grandma as often as I'd like, but we call when we can.

Life is simple; no drama. 

I live in a city that (while imperfect) is home to so many incredible people, places, food options, events and music.

In a few months I'll be able to take the bus to The Forks, have a couple of pints of local craft beer while I work, and skate home along our frozen river all the way to my house.

Winter can suck, but Winnipeggers really do make the most out of it. 

I'm thankful for the people in our city who continue to push for interesting, cool, and fun ways to celebrate unique the place we live.

John and I both own our own companies, and we've started a new company that one of our users called 

"wildly important"

(wow!)

and I really think it has the potential to go somewhere.

Most days I wake up excited to get to my desk and get my workday started. I've never had a job that makes me feel this way before. 

I never expected to feel this way.

About my work. About my life. About anything.

10 years ago I would have laughed at you if you'd told me this is where I'd be today. I wouldn't have believed you because I didn't think this version of myself - this version of my life - was even possible.

To be honest I'm not really sure how I got here. I can go back and trace the steps. Note every big decision, every scary new risk taken but... 

what matters is that I got myself here, somehow. 

Sitting in my living room, snuggling my cats, watching the snow fall.

In a little bit John will get up and make some coffee and we'll putter around working on HeyAlfa, or our companies, or our Halloween costumes, or whatever we feel like.

It's Thanksgiving Day here in Canada

and I sure do have a lot to be thankful for.

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