Dearest San Diego,
Our story starts in the summer on ‘92. I came into the world in the land of eternal sunshine, palm trees, and good vibes only. You gave me a decade of being a born and bred San Diegan. A rare and wondrous feat. Early childhood in the suburbs of Carmel Valley was truly a delight.
Flash forward to my middle and adolescent years we were apart. While I so wholeheartedly adopted my New England persona, you always gave me that one extra bit of, “ Well you know… I’m actually from San Diego so…. None of *insert wholly proper and yet a smidge pretentious scenario* actually apply to me”.
And as life goes, I became one with my naturally cool and A type aptitude. I was at one with my Nutmegger status (That IS what you call one from Connecticut). I was enraptured by the romance of seasons and intellectualism, culture and societal expectations and constructs. I had come into my own and I was there for it. I was READY to live up to the 10-year plan. College, Job, House, Family. All safe. All Secure. All on marks.
Then would the universe have it, I came back to you. Call it fate, destiny, or just life, but here I was, back in San Dee-Ahh-Goo.
The first few years were rough. You tried and tested me. And then you gave me the greatest magic of all. My first and most powerful life lesson. You taught me to let go of “THE PLAN” and LIVE.
Through this period I found my place. I found my peace. I found the confidence to not know what I was doing right at that moment but to trust the process of trying things out.
San Diego, you, gave me a community.
I never would have found myself in that very first job working with startups if it wasn’t for you. I never would have met my first friend who would volunteer me for Startup Weekend. I never would have imagined that first Startup Weekend would lead to organizing 6 more and eventually traveling to facilitate more beyond San Diego. Without that 1st job, I never would have served as a community organizer for 1 Million Cups. I would have never learned the lessons that come along with small tight-knit community organizations. The good the bad and the beauty of a community that comes together for the things that matter. I wouldn’t have found myself being called into the Global Shapers, eventually serving as the Curator. Without Global Shapers, I would have never served as an Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. I wouldn’t have found my passion for actively advocating for women in technology without Geek Girl, which I would have never found without 1 Million Cups. I couldn’t have imagined that Startup Grind would lead to my finding my first true, true life friend. I wouldn’t have led a Track at San Diego Startup Week without having found that friend. And without having led that one track I couldn’t have imagined that I would take the lead on organizing that very event, San Diego Startup Week, so few years later.
San Diego, you gave me the opportunities of a lifetime.
Coming back to you was far from the plan. However, this very slight and GRAND deviation led me to shoot caution to the wind when applying for jobs when I got here. If it weren’t for you, I never would have found that first job that led me the community that has made you home. Without that job and Startup Weekend, I would have never left to be “the first employee” of an agency run by a woman I truly admire. Without that experience, I never would have left without a back up (with another 3 backups) to foray into doing “my own thing”. Without my own thing, I never would have been offered my dream job (which is where I am today, btw).
San Diego, you fast-tracked me into my “I have to do this by 30” to “I did this by 25”. You brought me my highest highs, despite my lowest lows getting there.
You gave me my first foray into my first “functional hobby”. You brought me the bliss of actual physical activity. From opting out of school miles, you’ve brought me the magic of getting out and running over and over. From that first set of I’ll walk by the beach to the I’ll run a little longer to think this one thing through to fulfilling my 1st bucket list half. You gave me that to start that’s moved along to a consistent commitment to physical activity. Yes, this is about all the boomerangs from spin and the gym this year. I’ll try to take it easier on social, maybe.
You gave me my woo-woo connection. You gave me the space to explore my more spiritual connection with the universe. You gave me morning meditations by the beach. Long drives along the coast and event longer lounges connecting the dots with nature and fresh salty air.
San Diego, when it comes to finding the space to become “Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise”, as my grandfather says, you’ve given me all three. You’ve given me the pursuit of health. I’ve been granted so so much more than material wealth. And the wisdom is ever flowing.
You gave me the confidence to jump and try something new when I accepted the chance to move to yet another state in under a month of preparation. Having come here and not survived as it felt like at the beginning, but thrived, gave me the freedom to leap!
I left you and what I had come to know and understand for a very brief stint in Texas. I was tried and tested and yet I was ready for all of the unknown for I had lived through making my way to, though, and out of you.
As the universe continued to work it’s magic I made my way back. Again. This time I signed my first full year lease and actually unpacked ALL of my boxes. I brought home plants that have lived through that lease and even graduated to bringing home a pup.
San Diego, you were my beginning, my “Oh, I’m FROM a cool place” city, my “oh my god what am I doing here” city, to my “I can leave because I’ve been here” city, and today my “this is adulting, this is nesting, I’m staying here” city.
So here we are. This time I’m not fighting you. I’m holding you tight. I’m here and I’m so happy to stay.
Until we’re apart again.
Yours always,
Mia