My love for you, much like in other devoted relationships, has inspired me. It’s nurtured my growth and has regularly led me to question my life choices. [I’m] a Colorado transplant, [so] we’ve only been together for four years, but our love affair began long ago. Dear San Diego, In my childhood and teens, you introduced me to Shamu, pandas at the zoo, and Jack Murphy Stadium. In my 20s, you introduced me to Red Bull vodka slushies by the beach, ’80s night in Hillcrest, and taco shops that stay open 24 hours. In my 30s, you introduced me to beach yoga, strong coffee, better restaurants, and a distillery where I met my soulmate. So far in my 40s, you’ve introduced me to movies on the sand at the Del, baby-friendly wineries, and a place where I can raise my beautiful family.
Without you, I would not be the person I am today. Thank you for growing with me.
I was three years old when my parents introduced us and I met the ocean for the first time. From there I’d find my way back to you for adventure, for passion, for warmth—knowing full well that you rivaled my beau at the time. So, I followed my heart and left that relationship behind me, packed the car, and have (almost) never looked back. It’s been a love-hate relationship, San Diego, mi amor. You haven’t been easy on me. Within the first two years of moving here, you broke my heart, two bones, [and] two ligaments, and you have forced me into the world of spectatorship, pandering from the sidelines for you to love me. Now here I am, fulfilling my dreams. I love you and your beautiful, dry charm, San Diego—despite your merciless efforts to make me a better human. Your lifelong friend, – Cassandra, 40, Escondido My love for you, much like in other devoted relationships, has inspired me. It’s nurtured my growth and has regularly led me to question my life choices. I’m a Colorado transplant, so we’ve only been together for four years, but our love affair began long ago. I was three years old when my parents introduced us and I met the ocean for the first time. From there, I’d find my way back to you for adventure, for passion, for warmth, knowing full-well that you rivaled my beau at the time. So, I followed my heart and left that relationship behind me, packed the car, and have (almost) never looked back. It’s been a love-hate relationship, San Diego, mi amor. You haven’t been easy on me. Within the first two years of me moving here, you broke my heart, two bones, and two ligaments, and you have forced me into the world of spectatorship, pandering from the sidelines for you to love me. Now here I am, fulfilling my dreams. I love you and your beautiful, dry charm, San Diego, despite your merciless efforts to make me a better human.
– Klara, 34, Cardiff
37 SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE 59
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