It makes me sad just writing the title of this post, but alas, Michael and I have packed our bags and said “Farewell” to the beautiful City by the Bay.

It was a crazy final week in San Francisco.  After ringing in the New Year, we had lots of tasks to accomplish, and on Tuesday, somewhere between running errands and packing things up I had my first minor freak-out session.  Michael was at work so I was at home by myself and it was like all of the sudden I realized what we were doing – that we were leaving behind my favorite city that I’ve ever lived in, leaving our little apartment where we began our married life, saying “goodbye” to amazing friends that are once-in-a-lifetime kind of friends, and moving to a country to which I have never been, where they speak a language that I don’t speak, where who knows if I’ll be able to get a real job…it was all a little overwhelming!  But I think those are normal feelings to feel, normal thoughts to be having, right???  Michael was great – so patient with me and assured me that I was completely valid in feeling those things and he reminded me that we would be doing this move together – every step of the way.  So, what else do you do but keep moving forward??

We had a long day Wednesday getting ready for the movers to arrive on Thursday so we treated ourselves to a quick dinner out to…our favorite Brazilian restaurant, Canto do Brasil!  It was a fun little date and Michael did all of the ordering in Portuguese.

At Canto do Brasil (looking a little grimy from working all day)

Thursday morning the movers showed up around 9am and got after it.  I’ll write more later about how we are actually moving and shipping everything but suffice it to say that I was very thankful not to have to pack it all myself.  Thursday night was our last night in our apartment so Michael and I popped a bottle of champagne and toasted our wonderful, sweet, 751 sq. ft., first home together.

To an amazing first 1 year and 9 months of marriage in Apartment 505! 🙂

That night we grabbed a drink with our dear friend Leah at an old favorite, local spot, District, for a glass of wine and a goodbye.

Friday morning Michael and I ran a couple of last minute errands.  Our first-stop was the Police Station to get a letter of good-conduct that we will need to pick up our visas.  Next we dropped off a load at Goodwill before heading back home as the movers returned to finish packing us up.  Things moved quickly and I basically just tried to stay out of their way as all of our belongings made their way into 133 brown boxes…

Our boxes lined the hallways.

The movers finished up around 1pm and Michael and I headed straight to our favorite local lunch/brunch spot, Serpentine.  (If you’re in SF and you’ve never been – check it out!)  It was just as good as always and then we were off to finish some last minute errands before we grabbed our bags and headed to the hotel.  We stayed at the fabulous Hotel Drisco and appreciated even more our incredible view of the city.

Friday night Michael and I got dinner nearby at Nopalito with our very dear friends Mike & Moira and Troy & Christie.  Food was amazing and the company was perfect.

Last meal in SF at Nopalito with the crew. We miss you guys already!!

Then we grabbed drinks at Lion Pub and eventually said our goodbyes.  It is always hard to leave friends but I do think there is something a little less-sad when leaving true, close friends, as you know they will always be in your life.

So, on Saturday morning it was with sad yet thankful and excited hearts that we said goodbye to San Francisco.

(Right now we’re in Phoenix as we await our visa confirmation but more on all that soon!!)

Michael and I returned to San Francisco for one final week to get moved out of our apartment and to kick off the new year with some of our dearest friends.

We started the night off with appetizers and mint juleps at Christie & Troy’s apartment.  It was great to see Christie since she has been traveling the world for Facebook lately and we’ve missed her around the city.

After some quality catch-up time with the Bienemanns, we cabbed over to La Mar on the Embarcadero to meet up with the rest of the crew for the New Years spectacular.  The night was filled with fabulous ceviche, pisco sours, and other Peruvian specialties, a plethora of New Years toasts that all were required by Mike Saign to give excited to give, an incredible fireworks show over the water, a less incredible DJ, and of course, lots of laughs and memories.  Here is a quick look at our evening…

Starting off the night toasting Pisco Sours - w/ Christie!

Across the table -- Reed, Michael, Troy -- the night still so young

Troy & Mike!

Giving the toast of my life

The other end of the table... Elliot, Sheila, Cope

Heading outside to count down

Mike & Moira -- "All you need is love"

The first photo of 2012!!! With the love of my life. 🙂

Happy 2012 everyone!  It’s sure to be an amazing year!!

HARPER HOLIDAY HOORAH (& “Farewell, We’re Moving to Brazil!”) Party was this past Saturday.  It was a wonderful gathering of great friends, tasty treats, and lots of Christmas cheer.

One of the major highlights of the party is the gift exchange that is always full of surprises and hilarity.

Julie and Brendon with the legendary Shake Weight! Obviously this was quickly stolen away.

Michael Patrick Saign receiving applause from the crowd as he takes his ICE like a champ!

Some of Michael's "guys group" including DP, Sean, Brendon, Ethan, Harper (in his "festive-host scarf") and Thomas

Michael & me hanging out by the fire at the end of the night. Please note I am sporting the fabulous Santa earrings made by the one and only Clare Fincher of "I-D-Clare" -- thanks Nan! 🙂

All night I couldn’t stop looking around at all of our friends and thinking how blessed our time in San Francisco has been.  I am so thankful to God for the incredible people who He has put in our lives and for the amazing experiences we have had living here.  Although it is going to be very difficult to leave all that we have here, I pray and trust that God is preparing the path ahead of us as we soon open a new chapter and embark on a new journey.