I moved 250 miles away from my home to find myself. I thought I could run away from all my ghosts, my pain and my past. News flash, no matter how fast I drove, I could never ditch them. All that got me was a fat speeding ticket. I spent my freshman year of college in a limbo of sorts. Most college freshmen stepped as easily into their new adult identities like slipping on a pair of broken-in sneakers. As for me, well, the damn sneaker wasn't even going on my foot. I kept feeling like I was trying to be someone I really wasn't. I kept feeling, that even with all the soul searching I did, and time alone I spent with myself, that I still kept playing hide and seek with my soul. It wasn't until this summer, the summer of 2016, that I started really realizing what this Monopoly game of life really is all about. I started realizing that in life, it's not the things you collect, not the money you earn, not any of your physical possessions that matter. None of that goes with you to the grave. What does live on, however, are the memories you made, the stories you told and lives you touched.

Now I'm sure you all are thinking,"What is the point of this story?" Sorry to disappoint you all, but there is no point. At least not today. Today, I'm writing to extend to you an invitation. To follow me, as I blunder my way through this leg of my life's journey. Also, If you're one of my extended family members who always wants an update on my life and the not so fantastic adventures of Lacey, here it is! Your wish has been granted. I figure, that by sharing my life revelations, opinions and ideas, that maybe someone else can use my experience to help them out in their own lives. I want to start living my life as it should be lived, and that means working a job I enjoy, eating food I love, having adventures and spending time with the people that mean the most to me.

Now, I know that you all are thinking, "How freaking cliche can you get?" Trust me, it could get worse. I promise this is going to be the most cliche it's ever going to get from me. I want to tell my story, and other people's too. I want to write about my community, my state of Washington, and why I love it so much. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I want to write about the mistakes I've made, how to fix them, how to learn from them and how to prevent them from happening again. I want to end this post on two notes, I hope my words help someone, give someone hope or make someone laugh. If they do, then I will have done my job right. So here's your invitation to join me through my own personal theme park, the life and times of Lacey Crichton.