Breaking up is hard to do

Why is it that sometimes it's easier to appreciate something (in this case, someplace) once you've decided to leave it?

Ever since we decided to leave Seattle, I've been loving every little thing about this town.  Even the rain. And that's saying a lot. 

Yesterday I walked around Greenlake and was captured by the stillness of the waterfowl floating on the calm waters. I noticed the bird nests in the trees, and every pooch that passed by made me smile.  I've been appreciating the unaggressive attitude, the friendliness, and the mountain views from almost any point in the city.  Whenever I spot an espresso bar (which is often) I think about how ridiculously easy it is to get a good cup of coffee.  This afternoon I took Boo to Magnuson, one of his favorite dog parks, and saw a rainbow as I gazed out across beautiful Lake Washington. 

I'm going to miss this place.

The feeling reminds me of the process you sometimes go through when ending a relationship that isn't working out, or when leaving a bad job.  Once you make the decision to call it quits, you start to think about all of the good things you're leaving, and it's easy to convince yourself that the things that are making you unhappy really aren't all that bad.  If you're lucky, you remember why you wanted to leave in the first place and get out of there.  In some cases, you stay...and repeat.

As the reality of moving starts to sink in, I find myself wondering if I'll be ready to leave by Spring.  There are too many things I have yet to experience here, and I know I'll feel regret if I don't make the effort to do them.  We had Kiku soon after moving here and since then it's been difficult to find the time (or energy, or courage...) to really explore Seattle and the greater area.  It's time to live in the moment. 

Before we leave, I want to see the San Juan's, hike on the Olympic Peninsula, kayak on any body of water, take the ferry to Victoria, frolic on Bainbridge Island, have dinner at The Herb Farm or Canlis, visit the Asian Art Museum, and experience the Fremont Solstice Parade one last time. 

But the Solstice Parade takes place in the summer, so I guess that means we can't move 'til Fall.