Dear San Francisco,

I have longed to write to you but have never managed to quite get up the courage.  It never seemed to be quite the right time – either for me or for you.  But now, given that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, I thought I would just take the plunge.  After all, it is time I finally confessed to you my feelings – a passion that has never died – even after having lived with you for 20 years.

When I first arrived in this city fresh off the boat from Hong Kong at the tender age of 21, I remember the wonder I experienced at seeing your beauty.  From day one, you inspired me – offering me an incredibly rich lifestyle surrounded by scenic beauty, diversity, culture and boat loads of adventure and fun.  You encouraged me to explore and take risks – being so close to the beach, the mountains, the lakes and the rivers.  And you challenged my beliefs and assumptions by exposing me to a broad array of diverse people, lifestyles and cultures that had all gravitated to you because of your tolerance and inclusiveness.  For a young, single professional woman, your restaurants, nightlife, art-scene and wildlife made you utterly irresistible.  I couldn’t get enough of you.  And that holds true, even today. 

Granted, there have been periods when I have had my doubts.  And admittedly I have strayed at times.  Like the time I decided to break things off and crossed the bridge to the suburbs in order to buy my first home.  I had tried and tried to break into the real estate market in San Francisco and was crushed by how overwhelming that process was.  I remember feeling guilty and sad when I moved away to Berkeley so that I could afford my first decent sized condo in a nice neighborhood without roommates – something you couldn’t offer me at the time.  I would have thought that my decision to leave you would have disconcerted you – but it didn’t, not even a bit.  You knew what I ultimately came to realize, that I would be back one day.  And you were right.

Meeting my husband, moving back into the city and buying our first place together reminded me of all the reasons why I had fallen so madly in love with you.  As a young couple deeply in love, we took full advantage of everything you had to offer - the world-class food, entertainment, shopping, and performing arts.  We would stroll up and down your hills during our weekend “urban hikes,”  feed the sea gulls sourdough bread on fisherman’s wharf after brunch and cruise around the ever popular gallery hop every first Thursday evening downtown.  We explored new neighborhoods, tried new bars, and cherished every aspect of our foggy city.   We loved living with you, although you continued to test us.   

Like the times we would go across the bridge to visit our friends in the suburbs and discover that for the price we paid for our 124 year old Victorian (no parking), we could have bought an entire compound – equipped with a pool and a guest house.  Or like the time when I was forced to devoted 8 months of my life to getting my son into Kindergarten, enduring round after humiliating round of essay writing, interviews and screenings for my kid.  I remember thinking at the time (after our eighth “coffee date” with existing parents and our tenth “open house” that I couldn’t believe the hoops we had to go through in order to get him into private school).  It felt harder than getting myself into law school and was definitely more expensive.  And yet, in the end, my son did get into the school of his choice and my feelings of bitterness and betrayal towards you did eventually subside. 

And now, as I approach yet another Valentine’s Day in San Francisco, I feel nothing but love and gratitude to you, the city that has captured my heart and soul.  And although I suspect this year’s valentine’s day will be somewhat low key, (with a three year old and seven year old and a host of baby sitters that all have boyfriends), the array of things that I could be doing reminds me of why I remain forever true to the city by the bay.  Such as:

(1) The annual “Woo at the Zoo,” an event at the San Francisco where a comedian leads folks in an exploration of the sexual behavior of animals.

(2) The San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences new "Sex and Science" event that offers tours highlighting animal whoopee as performed by penguins, sea horses and various fish.

(3) Maverick’s Surf Competition at Half Moon Bay where my husband and I love to sit on the bluff and watch the biggest waves ever.

(4) The beautiful Hand bell Concert featuring Love Songs Past and Present at the beloved Castro Theater.

(5) This year’s Miss China Town USA Pageant where contestants from all over the country will compete for a chance at the Miss Asia title in Hong Kong.

(6) The annual Pillow Fight at the Ferry Building where nearly 1,000 San Franciscans descend on Justin Herman Plaza with feather-stuffed pillows to run Brave heart-like at one another to lovingly bop each other until the whistle blows.

(7) A vampire tour.

(8) My favorite of all (when I was single and resentful) – the Valentine’s Day Post Mortem – a series of short plays about people being dumped.

I know I am not alone in loving San Francisco and recognize that I have to settle for an open relationship.  Still, I have made my peace with that.  For San Francisco, I am one of many.  But for me, this city will always be the one. 

Forever yours,

Moveovermommy