Like many folks, I fell in love with San Francisco from the moment I laid eyes on it.
My favorite cable car line is only a few blocks away from where I live now. The Hyde Street car that climbs up that street begins next to a crescent-shaped pier that juts out into the bay. The pier is home to some historic old ships, so definitely worth seeing.
The Hyde Street car goes up a very steep hill. Then again, so does the California Street car. These cable cars – not Rice-a-Roni — have been a San Francisco treat since 1878. They were particularly popular with those San Franciscans who couldn't afford the expense of their own horse, buggy, or stable. Before the Great Earthquake of 1908, San Francisco had 53 miles of cable track running east to west (from the Ferry Building to the Presidio), and north to south (from the Mission, through the Castro, and then onward to Golden Gate Park).
Martin and I visited San Francisco several times over three years before we made the leap to move here from the East Coast. Whether we stayed a week or a weekend, we were always sad to get on the plane taking us home: not because we were't happy with the life we'd built with our children in Atlanta, but because we were happier when we walked the hilly streets of this beautiful City by the Bay.
Learning the hard way that life is too short, we made the move.
Martin's dad spent a few winter holidays with us. One year, besides a New Year's Eve party and other fun events, we'd set up a photo portrait session with him and our young children. Four months later, cancer took him. We were devastated, but we've always cherished those photos and those precious last weeks. Having already lost my father, he filled that void in my life. It was one of the factors why, a year later, we made the decision to follow our hearts and move to San Francisco.
We've never looked back.
Which is why I'll pass forward this bit of advice:
When you discover a place that makes you happy, don't be afraid to make the move.
Where is your dream place?
Are you there now?
If not, what's stopping you?
Life is but a dream, realized.
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