Summer City Views

Saturday marked the beginning of fall (my favorite season!), but it also marked the end of another beautiful Chicago summer. Chicago summers are full of beach time, patios after work, day drinking, Cubs games, fun with friends, and tons of skyline photos from rooftop and beach views. 

As I said goodbye to summer and happily welcomed the change of seasons, I found a few of my favorite skyline photos from the summer.

An early summer evening playing tourist at the Bean.

Beach skyline view before the Volleywood volleyball tournament.

The view from the beach on a post-work bike ride.

The beautiful Chicago Theater lighting up the skyline on a post-work shopping trip.

A classic Lollapalooza view.

Work summer outing at Market's rooftop.

Work happy hour on a coworker's rooftop.

And the first fall skyline view of the year on a downtown walk after work.

It can sometimes be hard to say goodbye to hours of beach time and lounging on patios, but Chicago summers are jam packed with activities, and I'm excited for life to slow down a little this fall. I can feel some changes brewing, and although they may mean the end of a few good things, I truly believe the best is yet to come.

Pick It Up

When one of your best friends from college calls you, pick it up. Don't doubt it, pick it up.

It's been almost a year since you spoke but that only matters if you let it.

Pick it up.

Listen to her talk about her new life. The one you know nothing about but want to. 

Listen.

Answer her when she asks the hard questions. And she will ask the hard questions. There's a reason she was once one of your best friends. She knows you and loves you. Don't run away from the questions. Answer them. You'll feel better.

Thank her again for standing by your side all those year ago. You've said it before and you'll say it again but every few months a new piece of the puzzle will come together and you'll be thankful once again that you had and have friends that love you this much.

When "bed time" comes, let it pass. Sleep is important, but it's an arbitrary time you set and tonight, there are more important things.

When you tell her to call your mom when she's in town, you really mean it. And when she says she wants to visit, you really hope it's true.

You were so scared to show her this "new" Jessica yet she has loved her all along. All she ever wanted was for you to be authentic and loved. 

I don't care how long it's been. When one of your best friends calls, pick it up.

A Change of Perspective

"Oh, that's serious, isn't it?" "Really?" "Are you nervous?"

These are a few of the reactions I received when I told people I was "meeting the parents." I love meeting people, especially people who are special to those who are important to me, but this time I was all balled up with nerves. I let my own ego and the comments of others get to me and psych me out. Thankfully, I realized what was going on and was able to talk a lot of it out with my best friend and journal out the rest before the introductions.

I believe miracles come about when we change our perspective of a situation, and through talking it out and journaling, I was able to see my own true perspective of the situation rather than my ego's or other's perspective.

Instead of approaching a few recent introductions with fear and uncertainty, I approached them with light, love, and confidence. I can't always make someone like me, but I can make sure I always share my best self with the world.

Since we had visitors in town this weekend, I also had the chance to change my perspective of Chicago. I've mentioned it here before, but I really love when I'm able to see my beautiful city and home through the eyes of a tourist. 

There are so many times as I walk through the city on a normal day that I see a great door or a beautiful view I'd love to capture but just don't have the time or don't have my good camera on me. This Saturday, I carried my nicer camera around with me all day and snapped any of those views and moments I wanted to capture.

Looking back on these images is a nice reminder of how gratifying and beautiful life can be when you let yourself change your perspective.