Dear Boston,

This is not a goodbye letter but a thank you one. You were the city of many firsts for me; the first place I moved right after leaving my country of Peru (and my parent’s house), the first place I shared an apartment with somebody, as silly as it sounds… the first time I did laundry just for myself, the first time I went out alone to a bar and had a night out for myself, the first time I noticed the Bostonian accent and thought it was a Texan one (don’t worry I also have an accent and it’s very thick apparently) ..I could tell you more but it would take a while.

You helped me grow personally and professionally and, on the way, I gained long lasting friendships, met my mentors and my life partner. Boston, even on the moments I felt the lowest, you showed me your beautiful colors by putting in my way kind, generous, and loving friends, who extended their hand, time, and love when I needed them the most. For that, I am forever grateful.

You have your flaws, I am not going to lie. People say driving here is bad but, hey, cars actually stop when I cross the street! That’s pretty impressive in my book. People say you are racist but I have seen and experienced how welcoming you are to immigrants. Most of my friends are from another country and the ones who are born and raised here are nothing but kind and understanding. If anything they are interested in learning more about our culture, our unique cuisine, our social cues, and are very empathic of the hurdles we foreigners experience to move forward in life and in our careers here.

Boston, you have so much to offer! You are the place of the beautiful minds, the brilliant ones, and rightfully so. The culture here is driven by science and professionalism and this perk of yours is one of the things I am most proud of.  So, whenever I talked to my family or friends at home that I haven’t talked to in a while, I make sure to highlight that.

I work in lab, did I mention that? It’s a clinical lab within one of the big hospitals here. I have been there ever since I moved here and now, it’s time to move on.

I’m moving to Springfield, MA. Not far away but far enough to miss my favorite restaurant (Blossom Bar btw, I have ordered the same food every single time I have been there and I go every year on my birthday without a miss…which happens to be on Saint Patrick’s day!), my favorite place to go to sit quietly with a great view (honestly, I can’t tell you the location but it is in Seaport), the most aesthetic place I have ever seen (yes, somewhere in Beacon Street), and many more.

The moving day is approaching and sinking in and making me sad by the day, but it’s the beginning of something wonderful. I am going to continue my career by doing something I have dreamed of for a long time…starting my residency in Pediatrics! After that, who knows? But the sky DOES feel like the limit.

Anyway Boston, you will be sorely missed but rest assured, I will do everything in my power to make you proud and will forever treasure all those memories from our years together.

This is not a goodbye, but a so long partner.