Talk about irony! In a strange twist of fate, I finally got the keys to my new apartment — on Southeast Love Day. Go figure!

That morning I moved out of my Capitol Hill AirBnB for the last time. My little car packed with suitcases, Southeast Love paraphernalia and one very grumpy dog. I had a lot on my plate and I knew it.

I spent most of the day doing what I love, spreading the good word about Southeast and the people, places and things that make this a special community.

2019 was my 7th year celebrating Southeast Love Day and it was awesome to kick it off in Anacostia. This was the neighborhood where I got my start all those years ago as a new Ward 8 resident. Celebrating this year’s Southeast Love Day across the street from where David Garber and I came up with the idea in 2013 was surreal.

So as you can imagine, I was feeling a lot of emotions. Namely anxiety because if I didn’t get the keys to my apartment I had no idea where I would be sleeping that night. I was cutting it super fine. Teddy on the other hand, had first class accommodations at Wagtime Too. Pet owners really do treat our fur babies better than ourselves.

So that night, after I had tweeted and posted about #SoutheastLove to the point where my wrists ached and fingers were numb (I have carpal tunnel syndrome) I went home for the first time in six weeks. This one bedroom and one bathroom apartment with a balcony would be my new home for the next 13 months.

In a lot of ways that night reminded me of my first night as a first-time home owner. The ink on my settlement documents was barely dry and with the purchase of my little condo I was a Ward 8 resident. So like that day 11 years ago I was excited, tired, hopeful and optimistic. But unlike last time, I was also a little sad. While my small business reSPIN PR would remain based in Ward 8, the reality was that as of now I was no longer a Ward 8 resident. For the first time in over a decade I had no idea who my Councilmember was. What PSA as this? I didn’t even know who lived across the hall. Say what?!

To go from a community where everyone knows your face if not your name (or Twitter handle) to a new neighborhood with no friends, colleagues, clients, etc. is a little daunting.

Daunting but exciting!

As I look out of my window at the busy traffic below, taking in the street life and more retail than I had in my entire Congress Heights neighborhood I am filled with conflicting thoughts. That said, I know this move was the right thing for me personally and professionally and for Congress Heights on the Rise which will stay focused on east of the river life. That can’t stop, that won’t stop. It’s only been two days since I moved in my new digs and already I have so many ideas for things to write about.

The evolution of 11 years worth of advocating for geographic equality has led me here and I look forward to seeing where it takes us. I look forward to comparing the contrasts and highlighting the similarities of both sides of DC. I look forward to sharing and I hope you will continue with me on this next chapter.

All is (Southeast) love.

-The Advoc8te

P.S. I know everyone wants to know where I moved but I will save that for a future posts. Maybe you will be able to figure it out from my social media posts. Stay tuned!