Dear Vancouver,

Allow me to re-introduce myself.

(photo credit: Kiran Polach)

Dear Vancouver,

I know we haven’t been on the best of terms lately, since steadily and surely you became a vacation spot instead of my home.

Since I eagerly left at 17, ready to explore a new part of life, letting go of friendships and connections like the naive teenager I was.

Since I thought I had realized that this beautiful city was beyond my reach without a technical degree that payed what you cost.

And especially since I thought I had finally made the hard decision to stay in Ontario for the next chapter.

I don’t regret my decision to leave and join the latest wave of exodus for the chance at greater opportunity. Leaving taught me to be tougher, about love & heartbreak, forced me to grow up, and most importantly taught me that despite where I find myself, Vancouver will always be home.

So I came back.

But something has changed, Vancouver.

Instead of peace I’m finding pressure. Feeling like an imposter strolling West 4th or a tourist along the Sea Wall. My usual coffee spot on Granville Island is suddenly unfamiliar and most of the homes along my childhood street are being torn down to make way for unattainable mansions, the few modest family houses left sticking out like sore thumbs. I’m finding that I may not belong here anymore and that scares me because I’ve always been a proud Vancouverite despite starting to call Eastern Canada my home as the years rolled by.

So I think it’s time we started over, started fresh. Allow me to re-introduce myself, because I’m not the same person I was since we last spent time together (whether that’s for the better is up for debate). Now nearly 22, I’ve changed just like you.

My name is Shevaun, born and raised in this yoga-loving, liberal place. Until I moved to the cold capital where I discovered some of the best people around. They helped me grow up, through the good and the bad, somehow forgiving my tendency to go MIA when life is hard.

Through distance, I’ve realized that having a close connection with family is important because you never know when that time will have a sudden expiration date. On the other hand, I’ve learned the importance of distance in creating independence.

I’ve realized that relationships are a two way street and as easy as it is to let things drift it’s worthwhile to give it another shot, even if it means swallowing your pride & admitting to your mistakes from years prior.

I’ve lived the difference between work-life balance and integration. And that as much as I can function off of 4 hours of sleep while working the other 20, life’s much more enjoyable when you take the time to slow down.

And I was shocked to learn, that when the opportunity presented itself, to come back and re-connect with you, that I was more tempted than I ever anticipated to take it.

With the possibility of opportunity on the horizon I’m hoping there’s a chance that we can forgive & forget, Vancouver. Because as I sit here at one of my favourite spots on West 4th and Yew, I’m realizing that it sure would be nice to come home.

Sincerely,

Shevaun