This could not describe my feelings toward this past weekend any more perfectly. It was filled with adventure, quiet moments, laughter, new friends, self-exploration and all things wonderful.
I am absolutely sure that these past few months have the been the best of my life. I am doing me. I am exploring all that I feel and just going on a whim. I'm turning those whims into what I want out of life and busting ass to try and make that life happen. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a husband who supports my crazy dreams and need for adventure. Chicago has changed me.
Friday morning I woke up really early, waited to get my new iPhone and hit the road.
Got into Chicago around 4:00 and my GPS, as always, prefers the ghetto-alternate route and
re-routed me off the highway.
Lake Michigan legit looked like the ocean on the way in. I couldn't get over it.
Chicago, why must you be so pretty and tempting?!
After checking into the hotel, I didn't have any plans for the night so I decided to be adventurous and explore Greektown since it was my first time staying in that neighborhood. I got bundled up, stopped at Starbucks for a Pumpkin Latte and started walking. And then it started pouring rain. No umbrella. Soaking wet. So I found the closest bar and ordered a jack and diet coke. But, I was surrounded by a complete meat fest and decided just to embrace the rain and head back to my hotel.
Once I got back to my hotel I changed into comfy clothes and had a pretty fabulous evening of drinking and fun.
And then my weekend really started. 48 hours of photos, me time, fun time, new people time, music time, food and drink time, chicago loving time - every single minute of Saturday and Sunday were fucking wonderful.
Saturday morning I met up with one of my couples who are getting married in Cleveland next year but live in Chicago and did their engagement session. We met up at the Chicago theatre, moved to the Riverwalk and then over to the Art Institute + Buckingham fountain. I loved them. She reminded me so much of Kim, personality and looks, and I could have talked to her all day. She's also a PA so it was fun to hear what she had to say about being a PA and get an idea of what Rick's future will look like.
After the session I took a cab over to the northside and visited the History Museum to see one of my favorite photographer's work exhibited, Vivian Maier. I took a bunch of photos and will write about this experience more. It was breathtaking.
After the museum, I walked. And walked. And walked. I must have walked six or more miles just exploring. Visited small shops and explored the streets. Smoked. Listened to music. Felt the sunshine and the breeze. Grabbed lunch (the most delicious turkey burger everrr - it had grilled zuchinni and roasted red peppers on it).
Finally headed back to my hotel around 4:00 and got ready for my evening out.
I attended my first Meetup group in Chicago and had so much fun. I will definitely do a Meetup any time I visit Chicago from here on out. I met up with four other girls for dinner at Bandera on Michigan Avenue and had some strong drinks and a delicious meal - awesome conversation and lots of laughs. I will definitely meet up with two of the girls from that dinner again. Making new friends, on your own, in a new city is so refreshing.
After dinner, one of the girls came with me to the Riverfront Theatre to see Conor Oberst. I love that man. Performance was great, venue was great. Got out of the concert, taxi'd it to Lincoln Park for a quick drink at Matilda's and then went back to my hotel.
Woke up Sunday morning and got to spend a few hours with my favorite Chicago couple, Jonathan & Renee. They picked me up from the hotel and we drove me around to new neighborhoods that I hadn't seen yet and we took photos in the Warehouse Disctrict and Wicker Park/Bucktown. Loved the urban feel to these areas more than any other part of Chicago I've seen yet. I can't wait for their wedding - they are such great people; individually and together. The best kind.
Relaxed at the hotel for a little bit and then headed out for my last session of the weekend with Sara and Vince. Renee sent them over to me as they just recently got engaged - they are amazing. I have not had that much fun with a couple or related to two people more during a session than I have with them. We went all over downtown for photos and made a quick stop to Northerly Island - Vince shared his passion for Chicago and gave me all kinds of new insights to the city. After the session they took me to Sheffields for craft beer and dinner. Craft beer? Mind blown. I get it now, I really get it. I plan to dive into the world of craft beers asap. We talked about what they are passionate about together and separately, how both are so important. We talked about life and the city and relationships (old and new). We talked about beer, and their guinea pigs and my adorable Bella. I could have talked to them all night. A fantastically interesting couple who I wish I lived closer too.
After dinner I had planned to go see an Improv show at IO but after thirty minutes of looking for parking, I decided to say screw it and just drive around the city. I drove through the neighborhoods - all the way down Halsted, all the way back - took Vince's advice and drove the shoreway (so gorgeous at night). Smoked. Listened to Ani DiFranco. Listened to Conor. Listened to some Trey Songz and Weezy. Sang. Smoked. And finally went back to my hotel.
This was my favorite trip to Chicago to date. The past two times that I have been I went with my best friend. Which was amazing and a total blast. What was different about this time is that I didn't have any one to fall back on or rely on if I was bored or needed help. It forced me to be more interactive, to be more social and meet new people. It forced me to learn and explore the city in a way that I could not possibly see it with someone else around. I feel so much like myself in Chicago. The people that I met and spent my weekend with? Those are the kind of people I want my life to be filled with. I want to be surrounded by people who are passionate and interesting and up for adventure.
Damn I love that city.
Until next time Chicago.
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