Precisely 5,475 days ago the City of Angels spirited away with my adventurous heart like a thief in the night. I remember looking out the airplane window in awe at the blanket of glittering lights as I made the decent to my new home. Below me laid a sprawling city bigger than any I had ever seen in all my years. And just like that, I fell in love with Los Angeles as I fell out of the sky and into my new life.
I suppose I should have felt nervous or anxious but I had never been so sure of any decision in my entire life. That’s probably because like most of the transplants that come here, I was buoyed by the hope of improbable dreams and taking the road less traveled. (Not much has changed there.)
I landed knowing one person in the entire city. I had no idea where I was going to stay that night, no job lined up and less than $2,000 in my bank account. But what did I care? I was in LOS ANGELES! It felt as though the palm trees I stared at every day on my desktop back in frigid Minnesota had jumped out of their pixelated life and into reality. My Reality! I was absolutely mesmerized. Not to mention I met my future husband exactly ONE hour after I landed. I never had to question whether or not I made the right decision moving here because from the get-go my proof was staring me right in the face. He still is. ❤️
But holy moly those first few months of getting to know La La Land were a whirlwind! I remember them so vividly it’s as though I’m recalling memories from last week. But much, MUCH has happened in the 15 years since I walked off that airplane, lots of good things and some not-so-good. Either way I’m thrilled I was brave enough to purchase that one-way ticket. If you find yourself on a similar precipice, all I can say is JUMP! There are wonderful things waiting on the other side. Like sunshine. 😉
Here’s to leaps of faith, to friends who are family and to all the sunshine in all the world.
To Los Angeles, where palm trees sway at dusk and golden light permeates your skin and illuminates your dreams.
xx
LF
P.S. This print of LA is available in my new shop! 🙌🏻
anniversary blogger california golden hour landscape Lindsey Foard los angeles moving my day in la photography sunset travel
