Dear Portland,

You have officially been renamed "Never Never Land." I think it suits you quite well. You have a charming personality and have a knack for random, quaint coffee shops and cute little neighborhoods that have cute little parks in the middle of them. You keep clocks around, not to inform me that I need to rush, but to remind me to slow down, that time is never an issue. Please don't get me started on the adorable, multi-colored historic houses that I would love to be able to live in someday. You express yourself in many different ways, but your landscapes are absolutely breath-taking. I love being able to turn a corner and see a garden in the middle of concrete structures or, my favorite part, the tall trees that make me feel like I'm running around in a fantasy story. You are lucky to be connected to talented souls that take good care of you and appreciate your uniqueness.

I heart you Portland.

Many, many thanks,

Leah

Dear Portland

Thank you for being so weird and awesome. Thank you for hosting World Naked Bike Ride. Thank you for sticking by me when my emotions were getting the best of me. Thank you for having amazing places to eat that somehow lead to new friends and good conversations. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for having amazing parks. They are beautiful and allow me the chance to relax and let my thoughts wander. You are an inspiration at best. Thank you for the perfect weather that is a good mix between somber and happiness. Thank you for an amazing job in Hawthorne and Downtown. Seriously, it's a dream job for me and those alike. Thank you for public transportation that allows me to politely smile at people that I frequently see again and again.

I really can't thank you enough.

Dear Portland,

It's 3 weeks in and I have already learned so much from you. You have given me a sense of freedom. Full in the fact that my soul feels nourished. Not only that, you allow me the chance to be me and grow into a spiritial, creative, and honest young women. I'm really looking forward to it. Portland, you and honesty have been my best friends and I never want that to change. Please don't ever leave my side.

"Portland, Portland take me in.

Are you aware the shape I'm in?

My hand's they shake, my head it spins

Portland, Portland take me in"

The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

(Although I changed the lryics to Portland)

Thank's Joshua for loving them so I can love them, too.