Today my co-workers and I said goodbye to a member of our team, Ashley, who happened to be our manager (and an awesome one at that). The five us gathered together tonight for a farewell dinner at Sake House to dine on sushi and basically plead with Ashley not to go. I guess I should back up a bit and point out that Ashley has an interior designing degree, as well as a Master’s, and has been looking for an entry level position. Well, all of a sudden one basically fell into her lap. The kicker is that that position is in Fairfax, VA. And don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled for her and I know she will do amazing things at her new job (and beyond)! But that didn’t stop the selfish side of me from saying (over and over), “Don’t gooooo!” I’m really going to miss joking around with her at work, dishing on our lives, and sharing a love for Sookie Stackhouse books and “True Blood.” And even though I won’t get to see her much anymore, I hope we’ll still keep in touch and I wish her nothing but the best. And Ashley, if you’re reading this, we better! 😉

On an unrelated note, today Will and I got to visit Kiera’s  new baby girl in the hospital. She’s so tiny and perfect, and I’m not ashamed to admit I had what Will refers to as a “baby fever moment” on the ride home where I actually teared up about it all. I’m excited to watch this baby grow, just as I’ve gotten to watch her son. And when her little boy sees me, smiles and says, “Hey Caffin!” I melt every time. It’s crazy to think how their little family has grown by one more.

So today, I experienced both an ending and a beginning in life, which reminded me of a quote that goes something like, “the only thing constant in life is change.” This couldn’t be more true. And I think we embrace the familiar so much in life, when something changes, it’s a shock to our systems. But what’s amazing is our ability to move forward – to adapt – until we not only like what these changes bring, we embrace them.

I feel like this is the epitome of so many novels as well. The protagonist leads her normal life until something happens, causing one thing (or maybe everything) to change around her. She may fight it at first or run from it. But in the end, all that matters is that she learns something, moves forward and doesn’t look back.

So, here’s to changes in life. (But only the good kinds, of course).