The signs were clear. It was time to move, to find greener (ie. cheaper) pastures. But despite the obviousness of the decision, I still waffled. More than once I had something like this conversation with Mike:

“Look, I don’t want to move. I like living downtown.”
“I know, but our new place has so many advantages and SO much space.”
“But it won’t be the same building. You know how lazy we downtown people are. We don’t like to drive more than 10 minutes for anything but yarn/shoes/antiques.”
“Yarn/shoes/antiques?”
“But what if Ivan and Kristina won’t hang out with us anymore? What if I don’t get to talk to Sarah anymore? Kim and I are supposed to get together and knit! What if Liz and Franklin stop inviting us over because we live to far away? I’ve been meaning to visit Shantell for a while, and now and it. will. be. so. far. We won’t go to church with Linda Rae anymore. Who will tell us we’re special? Whatifnoneofourfriendswillbeourfriendsanymore?!?!?” <sob>
“That’s silly. A lot of them have moved or will soon, and you’re still their friend, right?”
“Fine, you win, Captain Logic.”

So… yeah. As much as I will miss living downtown, I do still have an Einstien’s, a coffee shop (though I do not know the quality of their hot chocolate yet), a grocery store, a pharmacy, and a library within walking distance. But the people… that’s what I’ll miss the most.

I think if there’s one life lesson I can learn/be reminded of by this move, it’s that, in the great words of Lucas in Empire Records, “I do not regret the things I have done, but those I did not do.” There were so many times I thought “I should stop and see so-and-so,” but I didn’t because I was feeling shy, or nervous, or depressed, or like there were things I needed to to at home first. And I’m sorry that I didn’t take advantage of more of those opportunities. I no longer beat myself up for being a rotten friend, as I know those people could have stopped by to see me if they’d wanted to, and they didn’t either, but all the same, I wish I’d done more stopping by. And I wish I’d walked down to the Broadway for more random French movie afternoons.

So this time I’m going to make sure that I walk every interesting place around. Assuming I don’t sprain my ankle again.