When John and I got married, many people used the metaphor “chapter” when speaking to us. The numerous “What an exciting chapter in your lives,” “This is the first of many chapters” and “Chapter 1” phrases spoken in the greeting line, written on cards, etc. were apt at a wedding of two writers. But I have to admit, if that was chapter 1…it was an awfully short chapter. Maybe “prologue” would have been more accurate because, after only 9 months of marriage, we have already reached a new venture–a new epoch–in our lives together.
My husband got a job. A very good job. 1500 miles from where our families live. Enter Chapter 2.
I’m a conservative, Midwest farm girl. I don’t think I’ve ever said anything complimentary about the state of New York. As an aspiring writer, I have been asked on more than one occasion if I would head to NY. After all, it is the mecca of the publishing industry. But I replied, quite adamantly, that I would not. I believe I said that no New York editor would care to hear about Emily’s Slow Day on the Farm and I wasn’t interested–or able–to write about whatever New Age topics they preferred to read. Now, as I type this post sitting in my new Upstate New York apartment, I can only laugh at myself.
Funny how much husbands change your plans.
Truthfully, I pushed for us to come out here. We had the option of going elsewhere, but when New York was actually dangled before me, I couldn’t resist. Lest you presume I outgrew my snobbish regionalism, I must explain that, actually, the answer goes back to the books. When I wasn’t taking loads to goodwill, finding boxes large enough for my belongings or saying good-bye to family and friends, I spent long moments pondering the stories of my childhood. The fiction I read and my own family history.
Growing up, I was infatuated with those prairie romances about women who followed their husbands out west. I read multitudes of them–each story was relatively the same–but my favorite was the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke (recently made into pretty terrible movies by Hallmark). I fell in love with Marty and with her daughter Missie, marveling at their resolve to leave behind their families and head west, into a world far different than the one they were raised in. At the time, I never thought I would move far away. I wasn’t looking for a similar adventure, but looking back, I’m not surprised. I moved to New York, I realized, for the same subconscious passion that influenced my past literary leanings.
The travel narrative.
Chapter 1/Prologue was about John and I getting to know each other as a couple, getting accustomed to this crazy idea of oh-my-gosh-we’re-married, and finishing up familiar loose ends, such as school and jobs/internships relating thereto. It was a wonderful foundation for our new phase. Chapter 2 is going to be about the unknown. It’s going to be about growing closer together in the absence of friends and companions, learning another section of American culture, appreciating beautiful New England architecture and history, and taking advantage of every literary opportunity New York will afford us.
And despite a cocky attitude about this state, my love of nature and landscapes has already fallen in love with what I’ve seen here. I think I’m really going to like this chapter.
