Bittersweet Beginnings: Navigating New Homes, Old Friends, and Roller Derby Farewells

Hello, wonderful friends! It feels like ages since our last chat, and oh, how I’ve missed you all. The past couple of weeks have been nothing short of a whirlwind, a beautiful chaos that has finally begun to settle into a new rhythm. While I’m still surrounded by an impressive mountain of boxes – I’m pretty sure the count is still hovering around 1,004, if not more – the most significant transitions are now behind me. This past weekend, in particular, was a tapestry woven with intense emotions, marking both exhilarating new beginnings and poignant, bittersweet endings. It was a period of profound personal reflection, filled with moments that will undoubtedly shape the chapters to come.

Life has a peculiar way of ushering in change, often blending joy with a touch of melancholy. This weekend perfectly encapsulated that duality, presenting a series of events that pulled at the heartstrings in various directions. From spontaneous reunions to significant life milestones, every moment felt charged with meaning. As I navigated through these experiences, I found myself constantly reflecting on the incredible journey that led me here and the exciting, albeit uncertain, path that lies ahead. It’s a time of great introspection, but also of immense gratitude for the people and passions that have defined my world.

Rekindling Old Friendships: A Joyful College Reunion in Nashville

My Saturday kicked off in the most delightful way possible: with a heartwarming breakfast and a visit from some of my most cherished friends. These incredible women, with whom I shared the formative years of college in Washington D.C., decided to spend their weekend exploring the vibrant city of Nashville. What made this reunion particularly special was the fact that it had been approximately five years since we last saw each other. Despite the fact that my calendar was already bursting at the seams with the demands of moving, the thought of letting them leave Nashville without a proper catch-up was simply unimaginable. It was a non-negotiable pause in an otherwise frantic day, a testament to the enduring bonds we forged during our college days.

The moment we reconnected felt as if no time had passed at all. We spent our college years either sharing dorm rooms or living just a few doors down the hall from one another, creating a treasure trove of shared memories and experiences. Catching up with these four phenomenal individuals was an absolute balm for the soul. The laughter flowed freely, stories from our past intertwined with updates on our present lives, and the easy camaraderie instantly returned. It was a powerful reminder of how some friendships are truly timeless, transcending distance and the passage of years. We all made a solemn promise right then and there: let’s not allow another five years to slip by before our next gathering, okay? Nashville provided the perfect backdrop for this much-needed and deeply cherished reunion, underscoring the magic of old friends rediscovering their connection in a new setting.

The Grand Relocation: A New Chapter Begins in Our Nashville Home

No sooner had I bid farewell to my dear friends than I was off to tackle the next monumental task of the day: moving. My immediate destination was the U-Haul rental office, where I picked up the truck that would be instrumental in transporting our belongings. What followed was a demanding, yet ultimately satisfying, effort to retrieve all our possessions from storage and ferry them to our brand-new home. While I might have only “kind of” helped with the heavy lifting – let’s be honest, some tasks are best left to the experts! – I was there every step of the way, directing, organizing, and ensuring everything was handled with care. The process of moving is always a chaotic blend of physical exertion and logistical challenges, but there’s an underlying excitement that fuels you through each loaded box and every truck ride.

The sheer efficiency of the moving team was astounding. Literally minutes after the very last box was carefully carried out of the U-Haul truck and placed inside our new house, I found myself rushing out the door again. There was simply no time to linger, no moment to even properly take in our new surroundings. My next crucial appointment awaited me downtown Nashville, an event that marked a significant, deeply personal ending: my very last home game as a Nashville Rollergirl. The transition from the strenuous physical labor of moving to the high-octane energy of roller derby was jarring, yet emblematic of the intensity of the entire weekend. This rapid succession of major life events, from settling into a new home to stepping onto the track for a final competitive hurrah, imbued the entire day with a feeling of profound change and the promise of new adventures.

The End of an Era: My Heartfelt Farewell to Nashville Rollergirls

After five exhilarating seasons, countless bruises, and an immeasurable amount of joy, I made the decision to retire from roller derby this year. Yes, you heard that right – my derby skates are officially being hung up, at least for competitive play. (Did I manage to share that news with all of you earlier, amidst the flurry of life updates?) While the playoffs were still on the horizon later that month, there’s an undeniably unique and potent emotional charge that comes with skating in your final home game. To be on that track, under the arena lights, in front of over a thousand roaring fans, surrounded by so many cherished friends, and with family cheering from the stands, created a moment that was more than just bittersweet – it was a profound culmination of a significant chapter in my life.

The roar of the crowd, the thud of skates, the camaraderie with my teammates – these sensations have defined a significant part of my identity for the past six years. Stepping away was not an easy decision; it was a deeply considered choice born from new priorities and a desire to embrace different aspects of my life. Yet, as I laced up my skates for that final home game, every memory, every triumph, and every challenge flashed through my mind. It was a moment of immense gratitude, reflecting on the incredible journey roller derby has afforded me, and the indelible mark it has left on my spirit. The feeling of giving it my all, one last time on home turf, was an experience I will forever cherish, a powerful goodbye to a sport that shaped me in countless ways.

I am eternally grateful to every single person who has supported me throughout this wild and wonderful derby journey over the past six years. To my teammates, coaches, referees, volunteers, and of course, our dedicated fans – your encouragement, dedication, and belief in me have been invaluable. My life has been irrevocably and beautifully transformed by all of the incredibly strong women, and indeed a few exceptional men, whom I’ve had the distinct honor and privilege of getting to know. Each practice, every game, and countless off-skate moments have been opportunities for growth, teaching me about resilience, teamwork, leadership, and the power of community.

Beyond the adrenaline of the game, roller derby instilled in me a profound sense of self-belief and an understanding of what it means to be part of a fiercely supportive collective. The lessons learned on the track – pushing past physical limits, strategizing under pressure, and recovering from falls – have seamlessly translated into life off the track. It’s more than just a sport; it’s a sisterhood, a family, and a crucible for personal development. While this chapter of my life has drawn to a close, the experiences and connections forged will undoubtedly stay with me forever. I have so much more to reflect on regarding my derby journey, and I promise to delve deeper into those reflections in a future post. For now, know that the gratitude in my heart runs deep.

(Please excuse the abundance of blurry camera phone photos – they were captured in the heat of the moment, preserving precious memories even if not in perfect focus!)

Embracing Home: First Moments and the Unpacking Odyssey

And so, after a whirlwind of emotions, strenuous labor, and bittersweet goodbyes, this is where I find myself right now: finally, truly settling into our new home. The morning after the big weekend arrived, bringing with it a sense of calm, albeit one still punctuated by the sight of countless boxes. I relished my first “real” breakfast in our new kitchen, a simple yet profoundly satisfying meal that marked a quiet, personal milestone. The initial challenge, however, was embarking on a desperate scavenger hunt through every box labeled “kitchen” in a frantic search for a coffee cup. The triumph of finding one, and then enjoying that first steaming mug of coffee in our new space, was unexpectedly glorious. It’s these small, everyday victories that truly make a new house feel like a home.

Now, with the major moving tasks behind us, it’s officially time to confront the monumental project of unpacking. This endeavor, I must confess, is proving to be a surprisingly daunting task. Each box holds not just belongings, but memories, tasks, and decisions about where everything will live in its new environment. The sheer volume of items, combined with the desire to organize thoughtfully and create a functional, aesthetically pleasing space, can feel overwhelming. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and I’m slowly but surely chipping away at the seemingly endless pile. There’s a particular kind of satisfaction that comes with unearthing long-forgotten treasures and finding the perfect spot for each item, transforming empty rooms into inviting living spaces. This process, as challenging as it is, is truly the final step in making this new house our own.

Our Feathered Friends: Chickens Thrive in Their New Environment

In other, equally important news, I simply must share an update on our beloved feathered companions. Our chickens have made the transition to their new home with remarkable ease and are absolutely loving their expanded environment. It’s been such a joy to watch them explore and settle in. We’ve been busy extending their run, a project that will soon grant them approximately four times the amount of space they previously enjoyed. This significant upgrade ensures they have ample room to roam, scratch, and engage in all their natural chicken behaviors, contributing to their health and happiness. Plus, they now have a vastly bigger yard to wander and forage in during the evenings when I let them out for some supervised free-ranging. Witnessing their contentment as they peck around the grass is truly one of the simple pleasures of our new home.

And speaking of our charming cluckers, you simply have to LOOK AT THIS EGG!! It was a genuine surprise to find such a uniquely large specimen. My initial thought was that we might have a triple yolker on our hands – a rare and exciting find! Alas, upon cracking it open, it revealed a double yolker, which is still incredibly special and a delightful bonus. It’s a testament to how well our girls are thriving in their new surroundings, producing such wonderful farm-fresh eggs. This small, daily discovery adds a touch of rustic charm and a dash of excitement to our mornings. Knowing our chickens are happy and healthy in their spacious new abode brings a sense of peace and satisfaction, integrating them perfectly into the fabric of our new life here.

Moving Forward: Embracing the Next Chapter

Well, my dears, I think that’s all for today’s extensive update. This past weekend and the days that followed have been a profound lesson in embracing change, celebrating connections, and finding joy in both grand milestones and the simplest of moments. From the laughter shared with old friends and the emotional farewell to my roller derby career, to the exciting yet overwhelming process of settling into a new house with our happy chickens, life certainly isn’t dull. It’s a journey of continuous evolution, and I’m eager to see what new experiences and challenges this next chapter brings.

For now, the immediate tasks on my horizon involve a thrilling quest to locate the elusive dish soap amidst the sea of boxes, followed by the logistical challenge of making what feels like a hundred key copies for our new home. And, of course, a crucial consultation with my esteemed interior designer – who, in reality, is the ever-inspiring Pinterest! Wishing you all wonderful days ahead, and I’ll be back soon with more stories from our unfolding adventure. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.