Watching it all come together

It started as a jolt last August.  I stumbled across that first post by accident.  I wasn't actively looking yet.  I still had a lot of healing to do.

But when I saw that post, something ran through me and a dream began to form.  It was scary at that time.  I didn't feel ready.  It seemed crazy to pick up and move to another state where I knew no one.  I was still learning to be me as an adult finally pouring into herself.  I remember the conversations I had with people as I debated.  I remember the way my colleague and biggest advocate graciously offered to make a call to get more information.  At first I hesitated but ultimately, my curiosity got the best of me.

Then I had an interview by video and I immediately was impressed with the supervisor and she clearly was very impressed by me because what followed was personal contact from her periodically to keep me updated and make sure I was aware of when they posted another position.  They had an internal candidate in mind for that first position.

I made several trips to Atlanta over the next nine months.  I walked the neighborhood I wanted to live in.  I toured apartment complexes.  I walked into restaurants to check out the food scene.  I dreamed.

Over the months that feeling of not being ready despite the pull I was feeling turned into excitement and an anxiousness to move on to this new chapter.  And then the job offer finally came one random Monday when I least expected it and it became truly real.

Now, I have an end date in my current office and a start date in my new office.  I have movers booked.  I've already taken four carloads of stuff over to my new place.  I've bought new towels, am researching new sheets, and have an Amazon cart that gets added to every day.  I've found a new insurance agent.  I've programmed my new apartment's wifi into my car so updates automatically happen.  I've given notice to my current apartment complex.

It's all coming together so beautifully, like someone must have orchestrated it all.  I feel like I've done so much of the legwork already that it's all moving forward as if by magic.  Last night I wondered if there was something I should be doing but I couldn't think of anything at the moment.

It still all feels a little crazy but it doesn't feel scary anymore.  And I'm amazed at watching my confidence grow as I tackle another new task.

I have 12 work days left in Birmingham.  I'll be here for only one more weekend and I managed to time it so it would be Pride weekend.  So Saturday I'll get to march with my church friends in the parade and then sing one last Sunday at church before wandering the Pride Fest.  It seems like the perfect ending.

And then that first weekend in Atlanta before my first day at the new office, I have a VIP ticket to the Atlanta Botanical Garden Summer Party which sounds like the perfect way to kick off this next chapter.

I'm ready.