When the Air is thin, it makes your heart bigger

How lucky am I that I have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?
I must admit, getting on this plane to head back to the lovely south where I call home is the last thing my heart wanted to do this morning. To be completely honest I’ve been fighting back tears since yesterday at the thought of leaving this place where I left my heart a long time ago. As I sit here writing- watching one of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen from the sky over Colorado, I am at awe of life and the experiences I’ve been blessed with. God knows how much I love sunrises. He always gives me the most unforgettable sights when my heart needs it most. I visited Denver, Colorado 3 years ago, left part of myself, and fell in love with every single piece of it. The people, the lifestyle, and the beauty is like no other. Yes the south is beautiful, but it’s a different beauty here. It contains a Kodak moment anywhere you look. Anyone who knows my heart and soul knows this is where a part of me will always be. I feel myself most here. Denver is not only one of the healthiest cities in the U.S. physically, but mentally as well. Don’t get me wrong, I love the south- born and raised a southern belle, but there is something special here. I’ve always been one to be my own individual and to embrace who I am and I feel as if the people here run on the same wave lengths. The conversations I have here are real and deep and the laughs are a little stronger. Being born and raised it was always about keeping up with the joneses’ and trying to fit in. Not within my family but with the towns of people around us. My mother raised me differently thank God. The beauty of this place is that people embrace who they were made to be and who they have become. Throughout the past 5 years of intense soul searching, traveling, and striving to add lifelong memories to my memory box, Colorado has held such an important part to that journey. As soon as I step off the plane here in Denver each time, I feel whole again. This is me here. I feel a sense of freedom and joy like I never have anywhere else. The 8 am walks in the numerous parks that surround the city, the quaint gourmet coffee shops on the corners, the dog friendliness that floods this place, the views from Red Rocks like you are on top of the world, the enthusiastic and positive energy that is felt everywhere, the 30 minute drive to complete seclusion with views that will change your life, the crisp chill in the air, the peaks of the vast mountains with bright blue skies behind them, the most amazing seasons ever, the social venues that don’t have creepy men everywhere that harass you, Sunday Broncos games that the entire city partakes in, the morale of the people, and simply the outlook on life. This weekend was so relaxing which was a much needed break from the positive chaos of my lifestyle right now. Working way more than I should and being a full time student calls for a much needed get away to get back to the true beauty of life. I can’t remember the last time I have taken time to do anything for myself or to just sit and catch up on life with great friends. I had the privilege of going out to Crane Hollow Ranch which is the family farm. Saying it’s a magical place isn’t even a description that remotely touches the feeling of this place. It sits a little less than an hour outside of the Mile High city. It’s crazy how life went from 100 miles an hour to a beautiful standstill in a matter of an hour. As we drove down the winding dirt road back to the gate, I immediately knew this would be a memory that would last forever. I think it took me 45 minutes to pick my jaw up off of the back patio simply because of what was before me. The views are indescribable and pictures can’t and won’t ever do it justice. The sound of nature, laughter of sweet friends, and the Mooing from the field full of cows is all that you are able to hear. Needless to say my first night and morning were more than words can explain. We took a sunset cruise on the lake and watched the most mesmerizing views on the floating dock with a trolling motor (genius idea!), played fetch with the 3 sweetest dogs you’ve ever met who I missed like crazy, indulged in creative cocktails and apps, cooked in the kitchen together with the sound of sweet music, had a bonfire by the pond with the cool mountain breeze, laughed till my stomach ached, talked about our deepest desires and trials, and woke up to the most beautiful view on a chilly Colorado morning. There is one thing I will never forget that was said to me during a deep conversation about a part of my past that has always hurt that night. We were talking about me not having seen my father since I was 4 and I voiced how I was thankful for him because if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t be the strong woman I am today- and they said something that I will never forget and from eyes that I have never looked through. They said “You need to give yourself credit Chelsea, because of YOU, you are stronger- not because of your father.” I’m so thankful for deep conversations that change you, and for friends who can change your perspective where the perspective needed changing. I sat outside for hours that morning wrapped up in my blanket pondering at what was before my eyes, simply at his beauty. So thankful that I have eyes that could see what was at my fingertips. We went to Estes park later that day and got to see the bright yellow Aspens changing and moose for the first time. Two things checked off of my bucket list right there! I was fascinated at how massive the male moose was, and we got to hear him bugle at a low volume. I would have liked to hear him go to town but that made my day just as it was! Caroline and I relaxed all Saturday evening, laid in bed for hours in the midst of getting ready with a buttery Chardonnay to add to the relaxing mix. Now that is my kind of night. Once again, I can’t remember the last time I’ve been able to enjoy the simple act of sitting and enjoying the comfort of home. We had a wonderful sushi dinner at the most intricate restaurant in Cherry Creek. The food was superb, and getting a good nights rest after was on point also! Sunday morning came all too soon. It was such a beautiful morning as always. Highs in the mid 80s which is crazy for mid October in Colorado. The only good thing to this was that I was able to experience fall and summer in Colorado all in 1 weekend! We took Ollie for a walk in Wash Park, and had a wonderful breakfast at a place called Devils Food. It was purely devil’s food. They had every kind of pastry and delicious carb that you could imagine! I think you could see hearts in my pupils as soon as I walked in. We enjoyed the rest of the day with shopping, good food, the Broncos game, and a great dinner to end the night. The weekend could not have been better. I struggled packing my bags and scheduling my super shuttle for my ride to the airport at 4am. I have contemplated moving for years, and each time I am here that urge gets stronger and stronger. More so than ever this time. I have run through the what ifs over and over, and would I be ok that far from my family who I love so dearly, and not having the coast within three hours from me. I think my answer is yes. I have lived in Savannah this long alone and have embraced every bit of the journey and have discovered so much about myself, what’s another thousand miles?! Good thing my family loves travel. One of my favorite quotes is “Travel is the only thing that makes you richer.” Goodness isn’t that the truest thing you’ve ever heard. A lot of people don’t understand that concept though. I had someone once argue with me on that, but they didn’t have the capacity nor the experience to understand that concept. Travel expands the richness to self. I see the living proof in the clients that I work with on an everyday basis and I have seen the transformation in myself through the journeys I have been blessed enough to experience. It exposes you to experiences and sights that you may never get otherwise. It expands your capability to understand the diversity of the people of this world and it gives you a deeper understanding to life. Is it pricey sometimes? 100%, but if I had a choice of a million dollars in the bank or to be able to see the world, I’d rather see the world and have those experiences a thousand times over without a second of wavering that answer. Life is like a book. If you never travel, you are only reading the first page and never get to experience the vast beauty that is right in front of you. Always get out and explore, get out of your comfort zone, go alone once in a while, overcome your fears, stand somewhere you never thought you would, meet strangers that may turn into lifelong friends, and let traveling expand your mind and your heart. Go and do it afraid. I promise friend, you won’t ever regret it for 1 day in your life.