Two years since Virginia

This past week has been full of emotions as it marks both two years since I moved away from Virginia and one year since Frankie was born (more about that in another post).

It's hard to believe I've now lived in Chicago (as an adult) for longer than I lived in Virginia.

My years in Virginia were a crucial part of my growing-up. I arrived in DC fresh out of college. I was professionally inexperienced, single, and had only one friend in the city (love you, Ruth).

By the time I left, I had built a strong professional track record and I was weeks away from getting married. Most of all I had made so many friends in the city, wonderful friends who I miss every day.

It helps somewhat that a lot of my dear DC friends have moved away as well—to places like Princeton, Boston, Texas, San Diego, and even Scotland. But Virginia will always have my heart, and there will always be a part of me that wishes we still lived in that beautiful place.

Recently a dear friend came to visit me from Philadelphia. As we sat on the couch talking and catching up on a year's worth of conversation (it was her first time meeting my baby!), we both voiced the longing for all our friends to live near each other.

"Wouldn't it be amazing if we could somehow all live in one place?" I sighed. "All our friends from high school, from college... all my mom friends... Imagine all of us living in the same city, raising our kids together and getting through hard things with each others' help and celebrating the good times together too. Wouldn't that be the best thing ever?"

It absolutely would be the best thing ever, but we both laughed knowing that it's never going to happen. As much as I might joke about starting a "Catholic commune", we know that all those people are never going to be in the same place at the same time, much less live in the same city.

I thought about it some more, though, and this realization came to me: wishing for all of my friends to be in one place together gives me a certain longing for Heaven, because that is the one place where we will finally all be gathered, able to enjoy each other's company for eternity. (If that sounds crazy to you, just ignore it... I said that to Frank earlier this week and he looked at me like I had three heads!)

Just for fun, here's a trip down memory lane...

My "Things we'll miss about DC series":

Our two favorite restaurants (We still haven't found restaurants here in Chicago that take the place of these two!)

My favorite bookstore

Gorgeous Virginia

Our amazing parish (luckily we've found an equally awesome one here in Chicago)

My old job working as a book editor

And one more just for fun...

The day that Ruth and I went to see the cherry blossoms

Missing Virginia

This morning my mom called me on my way to work to tell me about an article she read online.

"Your dad sent me this article, and I just loved it! It was so funny, and everything she wrote was so true!"

As she described the article, something clicked into place. I realized I knew the author.

"Mom, did _____ write the article?"

"Yes! She did! How did you know?"

"Mom... I know her. We used to get lunch together back when I lived in DC. She's written a book too..."

As I filled my mom in on the book, my heart twinged a little.

When I lived in Virginia, that sort of thing was commonplace. It seemed like half the people I knew had published a book or several, and the other half had a writing or blogging gig on the side. In DC, all my friends and acquaintances were aware, involved, and intellectually engaged in modern culture.

What a change now that I live in Chicago! Don't get me wrong, I like this city, and I love my friends here (the handful I've met so far). But people here aren't engaged and politically active like my friends in DC were. My parents' friends look at me like I have three heads when I talk about publishing articles, or worse, blogging.

Frank and I chose to move to Chicago because we wanted to live close to extended family when we had children. God made it very clear that he wanted us to live here by providing us both with good jobs very quickly. I do believe that this is where we are meant to be for the long haul.

But oh man, do I miss Virginia sometimes—so much that it hurts.

I miss my amazing friends: Ruth, Colleen, Serena, Meg, Molly, Jackie, Elizabeth, Conor, Lee, Joey, and so many others that I can't begin to name them all. I have met a few great people since moving back to Chicago, but I still feel like I know no one in this city. I would give a lot to meet a few other young couples Frank and I could hang out with.

I miss my old job more than I can say. I was so proud of where I worked and I thrived on the work I was doing. I had close friendships with my co-workers and I believed in the cause I was working for. My new job is great too, but the old one was something really special, and I miss it.

I miss knowing my way around the city. I miss how you could plop me down anywhere in the greater DC metropolitan area and I could find my way home. I don't know Chicago well at all yet, and I get lost pretty much every time I drive somewhere without Frank.

I miss getting together for lunch with women who were my personal heroes, women who have published bestselling books and done work that impacted the world on a grand scale. Those women intimidated me a little bit, but they also inspired me to be like them. Women like that don't seem to live in Chicago.

I miss the perfect plan I had for my future kids' schooling. I was going to send them to my friend Ruth's Catholic Montessori school, and then I was going to send them to an amazing Catholic co-ed high school that was nearby. Here in Chicago, none of the schools seem to be quite what we are looking for, and it gets me worried about the future, even though I know that future is still a long way off.

I miss the DC metro! Can you believe that? I complained about it every day I lived there. But I miss that you could buy tickets with your credit card instead of having to carry cash on you any time you want to take public transportation. I mean, seriously, Chicago??! What is this, the Dark Ages of public transportation?!

I miss the weather in Virginia. It was so much warmer there! I never once had to pull out my giant down coat, in two years of living there, while in Chicago I will need the down coat for months. I miss driving through the rolling hills of the Virginia countryside—one of the most beautiful places in the world.

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you.

Frank and I moved to Chicago, frankly, for ideological reasons. I've read my Wendell Berry and my Front Porch Republic. I believe in "going home," and I share my hero Prof. Deneen's sentiments about leaving Washington.

Even more than ideology, though, I wanted my kids to grow up near family. I grew up far away from my extended family, and I always envied the kids who got to go to school with their cousins and have Sunday dinner at their grandparents'. I dreamed of that for my future family. That was my primary motivation for moving, and I still believe that decision will be worth it.

But in the meantime, Virginia became my home over the two years I lived there. The transition to living in Chicago has been a lot harder than I thought.

I know that someday I will be able to find my way around Chicago. I know that eventually I will have more friends here. I am confident that someday Chicago will feel like home.

But right here, right now, today, Virginia still feels like home, and I'm missing it with all my heart.

Things We'll Miss About DC, Part 5

My last day at work was Wednesday. My last day being a book editor. (cue tears)

I am really, really going to miss my office and the people I work with.

I've loved working at this publishing company. I've loved reading all these interesting books, polishing up my grammar, and learning how a book goes from a manuscript in Microsoft Word to a beautifully bound hardcover masterpiece.

Most of all I've loved the people I've worked with.

Let me introduce you to just one of them. 

Things We'll Miss about DC, Part 4

I lived in Maryland when I first moved to the DC area. I didn't care for it very much, and I moved to Virginia as soon as I could.

The one nice thing about my house in Maryland was its proximity to a great church, just three blocks away. It was a very pretty old church with an active parish community. I loved it, and I was worried about finding a church that good in Virginia.

I talked to my friend Patrick about it, and like he always does, Patrick gave me great advice.

"You're going to love the churches in Arlington," he promised. "The Arlington diocese is on fire!"

Huh, I thought. What does that mean?

I found out pretty quickly. Arlington is a vibrantly Catholic area, with lots of amazing churches to choose from. I've never lacked for great support in my faith life here, and it's hard to pick which of its many fantastic churches is my favorite.

From the Young Adult ministry, whose calendar overflows with events, to the CIC downtown, Arlington is a young-adult Catholic hotspot.

And of all the churches in this diocese, I definitely have a favorite. St. John the Beloved.

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^^Even though it kind of resembles a spaceship from the outside, this church has a very special place in my heart.

I first started going here with my friend Matthew, who loved this place, and after he passed away I kept going with other friends. This place was special for its memories of him.

When Frank became interested in Catholicism, I brought him here to St. John's for Sunday Mass. He became fast friends with the pastor at the time. It was here that he decided to become Catholic. It was here that he finally entered the Church last year—one of the happiest days of both our lives.

And as for that amazing pastor? He did our marriage prep, and he will be coming out to Chicago in May to celebrate our wedding. St. John's holds happy memories of those first exciting marriage-prep meetings.

Although it looks very modern, this church holds services that are very reverent and traditional. And over time, I've grown fond of its design—the windows let in lots of light that make for a sunny, joyful Sunday service.

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The Sunday Masses at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. are in English, while the noon Mass is a traditional Latin Tridentine Mass. Both kinds of services are beautiful. I've been to both, and I love them all.

One very special thing about this church is the huge age range present. Little old couples sit next to big families with giggling babies and young engaged couples (like yours truly). Frank and I always enjoy "baby spotting" all the cute little ones at Mass. Occasionally we see "DC celebrities" here too; it's a popular place to worship!

Another perk to this great church? Donuts after 10:30 Mass every week.

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^^Just head on over to the parish school.

This church has so many things to love—reverent services, cute babies, donuts—but my very favorite thing about it is that so many of our friends go there.

As I sat in Sunday Mass last week, I looked around the church, and I could see my friends everywhere. Ruth and her awesome roommates Cindy and Mary-Catherine, Dean, Conor and Elizabeth, and so many others. It's an amazing feeling to look around during church and notice that the place is full of your friends. I love worshipping alongside people I love, and as I looked around at St. John's last week, I got a lump in my throat. I'm going to miss this church, and our dear friends there, so much.

Here's looking forward to building a great new parish community in Chicago. :)

Things We'll Miss About DC, Part 3

You know what I'm really going to miss about living near DC?

Being close to Virginia. It's the most beautiful place in the world.

(All pictures are from a trip we took to Mount Vernon in January.)

Virginia has a little bit of everything—forests, mountains, beaches, and of course cities.

It has hot summers and cold, slightly snowy winters (which are still a lot warmer than Chicago winters!)

^^It even has sheep if you know where to look ;)

Even in the dead of winter, on a cold Saturday morning with mist on the ground, it's warm enough to wander around outside.

I remember learning this funny little tidbit in history class: Robert E. Lee didn't want to secede from the Union. But he couldn't bear to fight against Virginia, his "native state" (source).

At the time, that made no sense to me. It's just a state; who cares whether you fight for or against it? I certainly didn't feel that loyal to Illinois.

Then I came to live in Virginia, and I began to see where Lee was coming from. I fell in love with this beautiful state.

There's just something about Virginia.

^^Frank being contemplative

Add to that the fact that Frank and I fell in love here ... that Virginia was the backdrop for our first meetings, our growing friendship, our months of dating, and our first steps in preparing for married life.

So many places here glow with happy memories. From our hikes in the Appalachian Mountains to our day trips to Virginia wine country, Frank and I have had such a great time living here.

So you can imagine how much Virginia has captured my heart.

These two years in Virginia have been some of the happiest of my life. I hope I always remember them that way.

And I sure hope we get to come back and visit soon. :)

Things We'll Miss About DC, Part 2

The thing I'll miss most about this city is, without a doubt, this place:

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The Catholic Information Center, fondly known as the CIC.

It's hard to put into words how incredible this place is. It contains an amazing bookstore—every time I go there, I want to buy the place out. It has a gorgeous chapel that offers daily Mass and Adoration, and regular Confession. And the lectures and discussion groups that meet at the CIC feed the mind as well as the soul.

"The CIC is the home of Catholic intellectual life in the District," someone once told me. Truer words were never spoken. It's also the closest Catholic tabernacle to the White House—just a few blocks away.

To me, the best thing about this amazing place is the community that's grown up around it. From its stellar employees to the store volunteers to the speakers at all the amazing lectures, everyone connected with the CIC is fantastic. Every time I go there, I connect with old friends and meet fascinating new ones.

I like to say that the CIC contains everything necessary for the good life: books and intellectual life, a chapel with the sacraments, community and fellowship, and even wine (during happy hour). I first visited there just a week after I moved to DC, and over the past two years it's become another home for me in this town. It's not much of an exaggeration to say that it's my favorite place to be in the world.

If you ever get a chance to visit the CIC, please do! Browse around and buy a book or icon, or just say hi to Our Lord in the tabernacle. And if you see anyone who works there, tell them Tess said hi. I sure am going to miss that place.

Things We'll Miss About DC, Part 1

There are two restaurants in Clarendon that are just two blocks from each other. One is Frank's and one is my favorite restaurant.

My favorite is this adorable coffeehouse, Northside Social. It's absolutely the greatest. They have amazing meals and fresh-baked pastries ... and of course, divine coffee.

This place has been a favorite ever since a friend introduced me to it two years ago, and I go there at least once a week.

My favorite thing to do at Northside is sit outside with a friend for dinner—those great, conversation-filled dinners that last for hours and hours. I also love sitting inside with my laptop and a chai latte when I need to get work done.

I have so many wonderful memories of this little cafe, and I hope I can find somewhere just as great in Chicago!

Recommended: 

Amish Chicken Salad

Quiche of the Day

Old Fashioned Fudge Pie

Hot Chocolate

Frank's favorite restaurant is pretty different but also awesome. You've heard me talk about this place before—the famous Rocklands (Arlington location).

Frank loooooooves Rocklands. He would eat there every day if I let him. I'm pretty sure he ate there once a week before he met me. I have to hand it to him—the barbecue there is pretty incredible. If you go, make sure to get a mug of root beer, on tap at the bar. Best root beer of your life!

Like Northside, Rocklands is jam-packed with amazing memories. One time just after we started dating, Frank and I were at a formal event in downtown DC, and the event was so horrible that we escaped and fled to Rocklands instead. That was my first time going there.

We've gone countless times since. My family came to visit DC when Frank entered the Church, and we took them to Rocklands. We've gone on double dates there with our dear friends Conor and Elizabeth. I went there for Valentine's Day when I was missing Frank. And last month, one of my guy friends stopped by my house at 8 pm and said, "Are you busy tonight? We're going to Rocklands for exotic meat night." So I hopped in the car and we feasted on alligator and beaver, and had the most marvelous time. It's quite a restaurant.

Recommended:

Three Meats platter 

Barbequed spare ribs

Potato salad

Corn pudding

Root beer on draft

We sure will miss these two great restaurants in Clarendon. In fact, we'll miss the whole Clarendon neighborhood. Virginia is a really wonderful place to live and there's so much here I'm going to miss. But I'm looking forward to finding a new favorite coffeehouse and barbecue joint in Chicago. :)

And then there was the day we went to see the cherry blossoms

Ruth was my first friend in DC, and from day one she's always been up for adventures. Exploring a new hiking trail? Showing up at a party where I don't know anyone? Planning a conference on education? Ruth's my girl.

(Oh yeah, and she just happens to run a Montessori school ... excuse me while I brag on my friend over here). :)

So when I wanted to go explore the Cherry Blossom Festival down by the Tidal Basin last weekend, I called Ruth.

In spite of living in DC for almost two years, it was my first time going to see the cherry blossoms.

They really are as beautiful as everyone says!

Besides the blooms, there were plenty of things around the Tidal Basin to see and do.

We enjoyed watching the paddle-boaters in front of the Jefferson Memorial.

What a fun way to spend a morning! Next time I'll have to remember to make time for a trip out on the water.

We did make time to walk all the way around the Tidal Basin. It was a beautiful walk!

The monuments were packed with people on that Saturday morning—as they usually are on warm days.

^^Ruth pointed out that you could see Jefferson's profile.

^^Perfect view of the Washington Monument from across the water—too bad it's still under repairs from the 2011 earthquake.

We made sure to pay a visit to the FDR Memorial, since I'd never seen it before. The whole morning was full of "cross this off the bucket list" moments.

 Frank adores Scotties, so I made sure to take a picture with FDR's little Scottie, Fala.

^^This one's for him!

I couldn't stop taking pictures of the flowers and blossoms everywhere—even of the non-cherry variety.

So glad Spring is finally here!

We also made a stop by the MLK Memorial—another new-to-me site. It was awe-inspiring.

We found a nice surprise at the end of our walk around the Tidal Basin—a tulip garden!

There were so many kinds of tulips in there—every color and "style" imaginable. I think it was Ruth's favorite part.

^^We really enjoyed these funny ones with fringed edges! How cool is that?

^^The spiky-edged ones were also a favorite.

After our morning at the Tidal Basin, Ruth and I went over to lovely JoAnna's house for a tea party. From delicious scones and clotted cream to yummy finger sandwiches, everything was perfect. That girl really is a tea-party-planning queen! Thank you again for having us over, JoAnna!

Now I'm back in Chicago for the weekend, attending my (third and final) bridal shower! I'm so grateful to my sweet sisters and my mom's incredibly talented friends for putting it together. Pictures to come later in the week. :)

Hope you're having a wonderful Saturday! Happy weekend!

March for Life Weekend

I hardly know where to begin. As always, the March weekend was busy, exciting, and full of so many amazing moments. 

First of all, this:

I went to a Right to Life reception for my alma mater and found myself holding a darling baby and some delicious wine. #storyofmylife

My friend snapped this photo and put it on Facebook with a caption about how March for Life weekend is all about partying and babies, though not in that order.

I was overjoyed to realize that ALL FOUR OF MY SISTERS WERE AT THE MARCH THIS YEAR! That's a first in our family history!

I was so happy to see them. Cathy had never visited me in DC before, and we'd never been there all together.

Frank marched for the first time this year. He's not a fan of big crowds but he still enjoyed it.

On Saturday, I toured the city with Cathy, Maria, Cathy's boyfriend Tom, and a friend of Maria's. We walked through Georgetown and I took them to Pinkberry for the first time. How had they not been to Pinkberry?? They loved it, of course.

Tom had his heart set on seeing the monuments so we got all tourist-y and hit up the Natural History Museum, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial. We walked at least four miles. Whew!

I asked Tom at dinner, "Did you have a good day?" and he said, "I had a great day." Success!

Frank flew back from Chicago not only for the March but also to attend some important law school meetings, so he was off at school all day. He joined us for dinner.

My dear Alex spent the afternoon with us. I was so happy to have her there—it had been over a year since we last got together!

We went to dinner at a fantastic restaurant that brews its beer on site. I got their light lager, and it was one of the best beers I've ever tasted (and I normally hate beer). Good stuff!

On Sunday morning, Frank and I went to our parish with Lillian and Matt, my roommate Colleen, Conor, and my wonderful friend Mary Kate who stayed at my house for the weekend. (Sadly, I somehow don't have any pictures with her...). Then we went to brunch at the most fantastic Irish pub near my house.

I totally failed to get a picture for WIWS, but I did manage to embarrass the table by taking pictures of my food. Somehow I can't seem to master the art of food photography. Any tips? (It was delicious!)

Lillian and I were pleased to see that the boys were inadvertently matching. Matt said, "We're wearing green and blue. How are we matching??" "You're both wearing sweaters," Lillian said. The boys were completely confused, but don't you think it makes sense?

Don't mind Mary Kate photobombing in the background. :)

On Sunday, Frank and I celebrated our one year anniversary (which was actually on Saturday). We went to dinner at a very nice restaurant, ranked one of the most romantic in DC.

My better nature prevailed and I didn't take pictures at the restaurant but instead just enjoyed the moment. It was such a lovely dinner. I can't believe it's already been a year—or only a year—since we started dating. And now our wedding is in four months.

I did get a few blurry photos at the metro station on our way home.

Frank flew home to Chicago Monday morning. I can't wait to see him again. Only two more weeks!