Well, I lost my head in San Francisco
Waiting for the fog to roll out
But I found it in a rain cloud
It was smiling down
San Francisco by The Mowglis
Farewell, San Francisco.
I never meant to love you. People asked me, “How do you feel about the city?” I would always respond, “It’s good, plenty to like. But I’ll be ready to go when the time comes.”
That time has come, and you’ve called my bluff.
We grew from strangers to friends during long weekend walks across sleepy city streets, moving from sun to fog, cresting steep hills to reveal breathtaking vistas. You taught me the charm of culture and variety through neighborhoods that merge with each other while remaining wholly distinct, creating a patchwork of people with their own stories and lives, each of them making this city uniquely their home.
As we spent those hours together, ambling without purpose or drive, solely focused on exploring, I found many of your quirks and surprises that you hide away from endeavoring tourists. Each new staircase, sculpture, and park brought me further into your fold, enamoring me and making me realize that you could also be a home for me.
But you are not just the streets and rolling hills. You’re more than artwork on sidewalks and coffee shops, more than your greenspace and restaurants and museums. Like all of us, you’re made of the bits of personality provided by every person here. More than anything, I love San Francisco because I love the people I’ve met, and I now have the great fortune to include them among my friends.
These people, each bringing their own history to bear on this city and our time together, are incredibly special and dear to me. I’m amazed I found such a supportive and inclusive group full of laughs and care and joy. I could say so much, but I will be brief: I am a much better person for having met them.
I promise to visit and spend time once again walking your streets. You’ll no longer be my home, but I will be thrilled to see an old friend I found on accident who impacted my life tremendously and shaped how I approach the world.
Farewell, and thank you.
