When I first saw you, my heart filled with warmth. I felt joy, happiness, excitement at the idea that this entire cityscape was mine to explore. Like a dream, it was a story I could write on my own, lead my own way and go on countless adventures. Which I did.
The skyline will forever be burned into my memory like a bright light that shines over me for the rest of time. You have taught me how to love, how to live, how to survive and thrive. The city is like my own world, my own universe where I have both created and destroyed versions of myself I’ll never see again. Since I was 18, I’ve climbed, stepped, ran, walked, biked, driven, and cried all over this place.
The love of my life found me here. This city has become a harbor of feelings that have gone through the many waves, ups and downs of life and love. I cherish this city as if it were a piece of us. I have made friends with people who are like family to me, all thanks to the fact we chose Portland.
Why did we choose it? Sometimes I feel like it chose me, or perhaps it was the aesthetic wanderlust of the city’s streets, architecture, inviting community, colorful art and homey atmosphere. Maybe it was the idea that I could become anything here, go anywhere and the city would always have my back. I would always be welcome here. My home in the sense that I grew up here more than I ever did anywhere else.
It was here that I grew into this woman who has an incredible intrigue for people, hands on experience and creation. All the seasons bringing out all sides of me, the good and the ugly. I’ve confronted my demons and fought them head on while standing in the dark rain in the North part of town. I’ve laughed my hardest while dancing under the beautiful yellow sun, watching as the rays catch on the Willamette River.
There is something particularly striking and special about growing up in a place where you create your own path. I’ve lost my way and found it again more times than I can count. It’s here that I discovered my dream is to save the world and use great creativity to do it.
Driving over the St John’s bridge has saved me from myself, but she also looms over me as a constant reminder for certain sorrows that exist in the shadows of this town.
This place has shaped the very existence of my bones. I know the neighborhood streets better than anywhere else in the world, I always say you can drop me somewhere, anywhere in Portland during the night and I can find my way back with my eyes closed. That’s because I’ve lived in every part—every corner holds a story, a conversation from my past. It’s been a beautiful place to unfold the fibers that make me….me. I got to know myself here. From all the different job, apartments, friends, adventures.
There were the dance nights at Lola’s room, dinner at Brix, shopping at Fred’s or fried chicken from Jacks (ifykyk). It was always a great time watching fire dancers at Dante’s, picking up dog treats from Tre Bone or getting my fave pizza with tzatziki ranch from Atlas. Coffee at Dragonfly, Stacks or Great North always made me smile. Never a dull moment with friends at Mcmenimans, Coral Club or Rontoms. Perhaps the cherry on top was hiking in forest park, walking through PSU campus, skiing on Mt Hood, chillin on Sauvies island, or exploring the craft fairs on Alberta and Hawthorne Street. The list goes ON!
I write all this not to be a sad sap, but to reflect on how incredibly rich my experience here has been. More than TEN whole years I’ve spent living here, loving here, experiencing here. A decade I spent making choices, making mistakes, learning along the way. All in Portland Oregon. This city whose voice and passion will NEVER go unnoticed. I’m proud to have been a resident here for this long. If you live here and really get to know this town, you’d understand and perhaps share in my appreciation. This is my love letter. My thank you 🙏🏼
I am grateful and I look forward to what’s coming. I’ll be exploring a new part of what I thought was behind me. But turns out, steps backward are just part of the dance 💃🏼 #CalihereIcome
Xoxo
Trin
CoffeeShopVibes 