Tribute to Columbia

As most of you who follow this blog already know, Team Forsha is officially moving back to Eugene, Oregon. It's such a relief to finally have it all out in the open! This decision is the result of many, many months of weighing all options and deciding together what would be the best situation for our family.

I've been thinking a lot about what I want to say about Columbia, my home away from home. I once said to my mom that if Eugene had grown up in Missouri, it would be Columbia. I still can't think of any better way to describe it to those of you who live or know Eugene. This town has completely surprised me in so many ways. As much as I have tried to fight it, Columbia really has felt like home.

But what I'll miss more than anything, of course, are the people. To all of you who have supported us, either by dragging us out of our house for a date, watching our kids, or just listening to us when we needed a friend: thank you. Would you believe that I met one of my good friends here at the mall? When I first moved to Missouri five years ago, someone told me that people really are nicer in the midwest, and you know, she's right. It's not that people aren't friendly on the west coast, just much more private and less likely to welcome a stranger. Here I have had friends open up their lives and homes to me, and I'm grateful.

So with mixed feelings, as usual, we say farewell to a home and hello to the next chapter of our lives. Take care, CoMo.

Just a few of many memories from the past 2 years: