Chapter Closed

Today is the last day of my insurance career.

Hmm.

How am I feeling about that?

Well...um....I don't know.

I'm excited about finally being with my husband -- in the same house, same city, same time zone. I'm eager to flex my muscle at being home with Seth. For either of those things to happen, I have to give up my 9-5 (or rather, 8-4:30).

But, I have a little bit of nostalgia pulling on the heartstrings right now. I wasn't sure what to expect when I took this position in April of '04. But, it turns out, I'm was really good at what I did. I gained the respect of my coworkers and clients; I earned company awards; I was at the top of my game. And it was a great place to be. So to walk away from that does sting, just a little.

Not to mention that I've gone through some pretty major life changes while I've held this position. My corporate login will always contain my maiden name, because I was still single when I started the job.

Actually, that reminds me of a funny (albeit unprofessional) memory from my first day on the job. Allow me to digress for a moment:

I was newly engaged to Jim when I took this position. I was still in that I-don't-want-anything-to-get-on-my-shiny-new-ring stage. (Huh, what's that? I don't hardly remember...let me wipe the diaper cream off my wedding band to see if it jogs my memory...) Anyway, I was so concerned about looking the part for my first day that I forgot to put my ring back on after I finished styling my hair. I was almost to the office when I realized this. So... Ahem. I hate to admit this....But I called my dad, and asked if he'd retrieve my ring from the bathroom counter and bring it to my downtown office.

So, as I'm sitting in my VP's office about 8:30, getting my introductory paperwork completed, here he comes, strolling in. (I suppose I should explain this little detail -- my dad is an executive for one of my company's clients, so he kind of had an "in." He doesn't make a habit out of strolling into isurance agencies like he owns the place.) So, I introduced him to my supervisor and VP, and he gave me my ring, and we all got back to business. Looking back, I can't believe I had the gall to do that....but it makes me smile!

So, as I was saying. (I know, I know, you're like, "is she still talking?")

Stages. Single; newlywed; newlywed with unemployed husband; promotion; first home; promotion; miscarriage; high risk pregnancy; motherhood 101; promotion; miscarriage; and relocation to Tennessee. Wow! What a journey these last 4 years have been!

So maybe that gives a little credence to why I'm a little bit hesitant to walk away from this...not because I LOVE my job that much (though 95% of the time, I really do enjoy it), but because it's been a big part of my "adult" life, and it is blissfully familiar. Oh, how I do love to cling to all that is comfortable and familiar!!

But it's time to move on. I know that, and I'll embrace it.

So, starting tomorrow, I don't have to be anywhere at 8:00. I do have to be somewhere at noon: the day spa. Here's to the classic 180! Don't worry, this won't be the norm -- though I'd be the first to trade meeting with an underwriter for a mani-pedi. But alas, this is a one-time deal; I'm merely using up an expiring gift certificate (which, fittingly enough, was a baby shower gift from my coworkers!).

Hey -- if I am going to start a brand new chapter of my life, I may as well do it with a great haircut and tidy eyebrows!