DEAR CHICAGO

You'll never guess . . . just kidding, I am not going to sing one of my 'too many to list' favorite Ryan Adams numbers. What was I saying? Oh yes.

Dear Chicago,

You are forever fabulous with your seemingly endless array of music venues, superb shopping as far as the eye can see, and enticing eateries on every corner. But why must I always be disheveled by your unyielding winds? I am on to your charm sir.



You will be dropping your temps to well under remotely bearable, but I will be escaping to the beach and back home for a lengthy holiday visit. No need to worry because I will be back with a vengeance in January, your dreariest and most brutally frigid month. You may be thinking you can knock me down, but this Smalltownista has already gained innumerable amounts of big city confidence and growing stronger with every passing moment.

I will face your withering weather with bells on. I have a parka the size of Alaska and I am not afraid to use it. I have a built in scrabble partner (the hubs) and we are looking forward to your forced hibernation. I have studied every episode of Sex and the City: The Complete Series (Collector's Giftset)intently, and while I am no Carrie Bradshaw, I am acutely aware the city is indeed the fifth character. Not to mention I have a Prada bag of tips under my belt from my days in a ski town (gotta love those Smartwools). After an incredible internship and a rocking 'sell myself' resume I will return with a new found zest for city dwelling. You simply cannot break me sir.

Try as you may Chicago, this Smalltownista will endure. Trust me, I have suffered far worse than a depressing doppler. I can certainly weather your weather and as my man Keith Whitley would say "I'm No Stranger To The Rain". Okay, we can substitute rain for snow, but either way, you get my point. You may think my Small Town Southern roots frail, but you will sorely underestimate me my friend. Therefore I dare you to hit me with your best shot because I have never backed down from a challenge. Bring it Chicago.

Sincerely,

Smalltownista

p.s. This is when you cue the music, I toss my newly purchased, super cute, knit hat in the air, and "I'm gonna make it after all." Or with my luck, a more appropriate rendition would be . . . cue the "Sex and the City" theme song, as I am splashed with dirt water courtesy of a bus that does not have my face on it.