Dear Boston: A Breakup Letter

Dear Boston,

There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just spit it out: We’re breaking up. Our time together has been amazing, but I just don’t see a future for us together.

To be honest, I never really saw this as a long-term thing. I came into it knowing it was a fling before settling down. And you showed me a good time, giving me the thrill of living in a major city, introducing me to new people, and reminding me that there’s so much more life beyond the little world I’d been living in for so many years.

We explored the landscapes of New England together, from Maine to Boston’s harbor islands, and it was so refreshing to get away from the familiarity of the South. I fell in love with the rugged northern coast and the lighthouses and the quaint little towns that seem to be around every corner. You took me to a Red Sox game and sunset concerts by the Charles River. I even fell in love with your accent.

And while it wasn’t the longest relationship ever, you did change me for the better. I used to be nervous in cities, scared to walk around on my own and intimidated by public transportation. I learned to be more independent and confident, and now I feel like I could find my way around anywhere alone. I learned that I can survive a harsh New England winter. And you gave me the push I needed to take my career to the next level (and Todd’s, too!).

I had thought we might make it through another winter together, but things have changed. Several things, in fact, have happened in the last year that have made me reassess where I want to be. And I just don’t want to be 10 hours away from my family in a crappy, overpriced rental.

It’s true—I’ve been cheating on you for months now. Looking at pictures of houses in other cities and fantasizing about what life would be like somewhere else. And while it started out as a diversion, it eventually became a bit of an obsession. And when I discovered that my dream house was on the market back home in Virginia, everything fell into place.

This isn’t just any house, you understand. It’s the kind of house I saw myself buying 10 or 15 years down the road, when I was a real grown-up. It’s big and historic and beautiful, and when I look at it I see Christmas parties and baby nurseries and backyard barbecues. I realize I’m ready to settle down, in other words.

So thank you for the past 14 months, Boston. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I know we’ll see each other again before too long, and I hope we can still be friends.

XOXO,

Erica

P.S. Here's a picture of the new city in my life, in case you're interested.