Stranded in San Franscisco

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. The reason for my flight back home being delayed for hours then canceled twice? Unclear until now. 

As we spent our last day together driving around San Francisco, I explicitly said to Lily and Angela “I can’t imagine wanting to live here.”  After unintentionally spending 24 hours alone, and stranded in San Francisco, I have become enamored with its charm. 

We spent our initial “day trip” stopping at the Iconic Golden Gate bridge. Lily drove us to a park that her and Angela's childhood friend group grew up visiting. It was the most clear and breezy weather, leaving the perfect opportunity to take tons of photos on our film cameras. We found a lump of driftwood that was the perfect size to hold the three of us as we reminisced on our week together. 

We ventured deeper into the heart of San Francisco, stopping on Fillmore street where Angela and I got to let our inner fashionistas shine. We stumbled into the cutest boutique, Isalis, which had every cool-girl piece our hearts could desire. Lily had to practically drag us out of it, pulling us into an even cuter antique store. This store had the most unique curation of chandeliers, masks, italian tiles, and my personal favorite, jewelry. My favorite part was the custom charm bar, which was home to thousands of unique charms (I added three to my necklace, for only $10, what a steal.)

We window shopped at a couple more stores before grabbing a bite from Joe & the Juice (one of my all-time favorites). We then picked up a bottle of wine and walked to the Alamo Square park to picnic with the painted ladies. (a.k.a the full house houses) The painted ladies are a must- see in SF. Not only because of their fame, but to enjoy the beautiful architecture that is so reflective of the essence of this city. 

As the sun set, we began to pack up to head to the airport. This is where things take a turn. 

The global IT outage. 

My story is going to sound like everyone else's… quite boring with entirely way too much time spent in the airport (12 hours). After napping at a hotel near the airport and giving up hope on ever seeing my luggage again (she has since been returned to BTR), I began to become human again around 3 on Friday. After coming to, I concluded that the only thing that would cure me of my problems would be a quick fix of my newest addiction… brandy melville. (and luckily for my skin, a sephora was near too)

I mustered up the courage to drop $38 on an uber north to set off on my journey, where I would not only find adorable clothes, but the answer I had been seeking. 

Everything happens for a reason. That is what this whole blog post started with. As I set off to wander the streets of San Francisco, Brandy Melville and Sephora bags in hand, I began to wonder what God was trying to teach me through all of this. 

Had the girls and I accidentally manifested my extra stay in California on the way to the airport? I wandered as I walked aimlessly in the streets flooded with men in puffer vests getting off of their corporate finance or tech jobs. I passed girlfriends in their cutest reformation tops and kitten heels walking to their happy hour reservation and began to realize how alone I was at that very moment.

It was liberating. I had spent the entire evening with no company but my own, doing only what I wanted to do, not checking in with anyone. 

It didn’t truly settle in until I walked past the Tipsy Pig and contemplated stopping in. (Shopping really drains a girl, but luckily a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a caesar salad refuels her perfectly.)

You see, eating alone has truly been one of my only fears for the longest. I don't know exactly what about it that intimidates me so much, but I used to physically get sick to my stomach and shake when it needed to be done. 

However, I decided to go in and ask for a table. I was seated immediately. As I sat there, sipping my glass of wine, I recognized a new comfort within myself. No anxiety, no shaking, just me, my journal, and my shopping bags. Had I really gotten over this fear? Has something shifted within me?  I realized that maybe in the past I was never as confident or as independent as I thought. Maybe it was all just pretending, but not anymore.

July truly sent me through the wringer. Another chapter coming to a close in the relationship book, my heart tender. This flight predicament was just another level of the challenge that was July. 

Luckily everything happens for a reason and there are always lessons to be learned. The delayed flight taught me just how much I can endure completely and utterly on my own. It showed me that in the end I really will be okay. Despite breakups, airline blackouts, or whatever else God intends on challenging me with. I will always have my thoughts, my words, my spirit and my appreciation for life and its beauty, even if it's in the form of a man in a puffer vest or a crispy glass of Sauvy B. 

I challenge you to spend the day with yourself. No phone, no contact with anyone. See where you end up, discover what you want to do and what you learn about yourself. 

I intend on challenging myself to a day like this again soon, who knows what else I'll learn. 

 Xo,

Ri