Friday, February 22, 2013

Charlotte-bound

Greetings and Happy Friday everyone!  My mom arrived in Minneapolis last night and we flew out to Charlotte.  Our mission is to find an apartment for me to rent.  Shortly after I came to terms with the fact that I would in fact have to move to Charlotte, I realized that the person I really wanted to come with me on this apartment-hunting trip was my mom.  I know I am 32 and can make decisions on my own, as I have for the 14 years since I graduated from high school and became an independent person.  BUT sometimes- you just need your mom.

I think to some extent, my parents (and other key people in my life) have felt a bit helpless as they've watched me go through this experience.  My parents have been on the receiving end of many, many tearful conversations and I think they probably feel a little frustrated that besides offering a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, they can't DO anything.  But accompanying me on this trip to Charlotte is something my mom CAN do.  She can come to Charlotte with me and help me decide what apartment I will call home.  And there was not a moment of hesitation when I called her and asked her if she would consider coming with me.

Through this process, I have been downright negative about Charlotte and I am hoping that I can start to turn the corner this weekend and find some things to get excited about.  I hope that I find coffee shops that I can see myself reading in on the weekend and running paths that I can see myself training on during marathon training season.  I hope I find an apartment I will be happy to call home that will be walking or biking distance from work and I hope that my neighborhood feels somewhat as 'right' as my current neighborhood does.

I know that Charlotte will never be Minneapolis.  And I have to accept that.  But I am hoping to find some redeeming qualities when I visit Charlotte this week.  At the end of the weekend, I hope I come back to Minneapolis and find myself closer to a state of mind where I don't tear up when people call and ask me how I feel about my move to Charlotte.

20 comments:

Becky said...

" I hope that I find coffee shops that I can see myself reading in on the weekend and running paths that I can see myself training on during marathon training season." YES YES YES.

Hope it's a great weekend my friend!

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I absolutely think your mom is the perfect person to come with you- mom's definitely know best about so many things :) I also truly hope you find some things to look forward to about Charlotte this weekend. Definitely coffee shops and running paths!

abbi said...

Have a wonderful time apartment hunting. Your mom is the best partner and hopefully will be able to shed some excitement on this new experience!

missris said...

Good luck finding an apartment! I'm sure you'll find the best place in the best neighborhood for you :)

Gracie said...

Your mom knows you well enough to know when something will suit you or never grow on you or be perfect for you - the best house-hunting companion! I hope a gem falls into your lap. I really love certain areas of Charlotte, especially with the new rail line, and one of my close friends promises he'll never leave - lots of cute neighborhoods with good running (ahem, you will be a master of hills, though!).

Leigh said...

I hope everything goes well this weekend with the apartment hunt. And if not, enjoy the time you are able to spend with your mom :)

Nora said...

I hear you on the needing your mom thing; I feel that way too from time to time. So glad your mom IS there with you and wishing you nothing but luck in finding a great place to live and that you'll find a few little diamonds in the rough in Charlotte! Thinking of you. xo

Linda said...

Glad mom can help with apartment hunting!

Stephany said...

I'm very glad your mom was able to come with you for apartment hunting! I hope this visit is a great one and you find a place you love. Have a great weekend!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

She may be your mom, but she also probably knows you better than most of your friends. It seems like a very fitting decision to ask her to join you. I'm thinking of you and hoping you come away from this trip feeling like you know Charlotte a little bit better and can start envisioning this next chapter of your life with a little more clarity.

Carolina John said...

Has she ever been to Charlotte? Mom's have a curious habit of spotting things that I often overlook. So I bet she'll point out that "this place" is close to a bookstore, or "that" shopping center looks a bit scary. Bringing your mom is a great litmus test for locations. keep an open mind and an open eye when you're looking around, and she'll be watching your back.

San said...

Honestly, I think it's FANTASTIC that you take your Mom apartment hunting with you! I'd do the same, if I was in your situation and my parents were nearby! :) I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a great relationship with one's parents!!

Having said that, I really hope you find a nice place and Charlotte seems a little bit less daunting after this weekend!

Are you going to keep your condo?

Anonymous said...

That's so great that your mom was able to go with you! I bet that helped a lot. I'm not sure how close Asheville is to Charlotte, but it's a cute little artsy town with some indie coffee shops — at least the last time I was there it was. But, then, that's been ten years. Okay, sorry, I'm not really being helpful, lol. So, I will just say good luck in finding an apartment and I hope you reach that state of mind where you feel happy in Charlotte. I know it will be a process, but we will be behind you 100%!

Unknown said...

I hope you and your mom are having a good weekend. I continue to send you positive thoughts. Good luck!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

Two things you said really resonate with me: (1) sometimes you just need your Mom. YES! And I am so glad that she can go with you and be there for you AND feel like she is being useful. It will be good for both of you! (2) Your last paragraph. Charlotte will NEVER be Minneapolis, but you are so right...you will learn to enjoy it in it's own way; you just have to give it a chance!

Jeanie said...

Well, one thing you will find in Charlotte this weekend is a little more warmth than Minneapolis -- maybe even a hint of spring.

And I'm so glad you are going with your mom. For two reasons -- as one who lost her mom very young, it will be an experience to remember in the far-off future and knowing you had that. And as one who is of a mom's age, what a n honor and joy it would be to be allowed to part of it. Win win all the way!

Amber said...

I'm so glad your mom was able to accompany you this weekend! I hope that once you do get moved you will be able to find some things to love - or at least like - about your new neighbourhood!

Melissa said...

Well I'm quite late to this now as it's Sunday evening, but I really hope your trip to Charlotte was successful! Fingers crossed for you. :)

Elizabeth said...

I promise you that you're going to make it. I made it thru two years in rural Louisiana in an unhappy marriage with no social support and a town so small that the nearest Target was 45 minutes away. You're right in the reality that this year will never be what it could have been should you be able to stay, but God's sending you for some reason and there WILL be good memories and moments to reflect upon once it's over. :) And I feel ya gal, I cried on my first trip to rural LA too--and I cried some more when I got there and my marriage wasn't what I thought it would be. But my job was awesome, I learned a TON about myself, I was convinced into two of the greatest joys imaginable (my dogs), there was sunshine galore, and I found the most random but amazing running trail right out my back door (and took up running again). Once the year is over and you look back, you'll see that there were some good things out of it!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Although this has been and will be a difficult transition and life change for you, I am happy for you, and have nothing but high hopes that you will be pleasantly surprised.