From Lake Michigan to the Wasatch Front: Our Exciting Relocation to Salt Lake City for a New Medical Chapter

After a year and two months of anticipation, and keeping this thrilling secret under wraps, we are beyond excited to finally share some truly transformative news with you all! Our beloved Chicago chapter is drawing to a close, and we are embarking on a cross-country journey to establish our new home in the vibrant city of Salt Lake City, Utah.

The timeline for this major life event is incredibly tight – everything is happening within the next two weeks! Yes, it feels whirlwind, even to us, but this long-awaited move marks a significant milestone that we’ve been eager to announce, especially now that the uncertainties of recent months have begun to settle.

Five Years in the Windy City: A Bittersweet Farewell to Chicago

For those who have followed A Beautiful Plate over the years, you’ll know that our journey brought us to Chicago five years ago. This move was predicated on a pivotal moment in our lives: my husband, Connor, matched into his orthopaedic surgery residency here, setting the stage for an intense and rewarding period of medical training. We chronicled the beginning of that adventure here.

It’s hard to believe that half a decade has already flown by. These past five years in Chicago have been nothing short of a wild, unforgettable ride, marked by incredible highs and, in all honesty, profound lows. Every residency journey comes with its unique challenges, demanding immense dedication and sacrifice, not just from the resident but from their entire support system. Yet, through it all, Chicago embraced us with open arms, quickly transforming from a new city into a cherished home filled with countless memories.

Our time in the Windy City gifted us with so much, from forging deep, lasting friendships with remarkable people to welcoming our beloved furry companion, Marley, into our family. The city’s vibrant energy, diverse culinary scene, stunning architecture, and beautiful lakefront became the backdrop to our daily lives, influencing everything from our favorite weekend activities to the recipes shared on this blog. Chicago will always hold a special place in our hearts, a chapter we will look back on with immense fondness and gratitude.

Last week, Connor officially graduated from his residency program, albeit via Zoom – a true reflection of the unique circumstances of 2020. He is now intensely focused on studying for his board exams, which are just around the corner. Once those are complete, we will embark on the next and, thankfully, final year of his extensive medical training: a specialized surgical fellowship. This marks the culmination of nearly a decade of rigorous education and practice, and we can finally see the light at the end of what has been an extremely long tunnel.

The Rigorous Path to Fellowship: A Decade in the Making

While we knew this day would eventually arrive, the reality of it approaching so swiftly has caught us somewhat off guard. As the saying goes, the days are long, but the years are short – a sentiment that perfectly captures the intensity and rapid progression of medical training. Connor began the arduous fellowship application process way back in the fall of 2018, initiating a grueling interview schedule that spanned the entire country and extended well into early 2019.

The field of orthopaedic surgical subspecialties is incredibly competitive, with only about 180 fellowship positions available nationwide for his chosen specialty. This scarcity makes the application and matching process exceptionally stressful and demanding. Connor traveled to 14 different cities in less than three months, spending countless days on the road flying between interviews and juggling intense meetings. All of this was meticulously managed while simultaneously fulfilling his standard, and often overwhelming, 80 to 100-plus hour per week residency responsibilities. As you can undoubtedly imagine, this period was immensely challenging for both of us, and we are incredibly relieved to have almost reached the other side of this marathon.

By April of 2019, after months of interviews and careful consideration, we submitted our rank list of preferred fellowship programs from across the country. For those unfamiliar with the medical “match” process, it’s a highly specialized and intricate system. Residents confidentially rank the programs where they interviewed, and concurrently, programs rank their interviewed candidates. A sophisticated, confidential computer algorithm then processes these rankings, ultimately “matching” applicants to programs. The results are then released weeks later, often with bated breath.

It was on our unforgettable trip to Budapest last spring that we received the incredible news: Connor had matched with his first-choice program, the University of Utah in Salt Lake City! This was a monumental moment, signifying the next crucial step in his career and our lives together.

Navigating the Match: Uncertainty and Relief

The entire match process, from medical school through residency and fellowship, is an exciting yet undeniably insane journey. It’s truly difficult to fully grasp its intensity and emotional toll unless you’ve experienced it firsthand or closely know someone who has. It’s a period fraught with uncertainty, which, I’ll admit, is not exactly my strong suit. Each stage brings a new wave of unknowns, requiring immense resilience and adaptability.

Fortunately, this time around, we’ve had over a year to process the news, allowing us ample time to prepare ourselves, both mentally and logistically, for this significant move. This extended preparation period has made this particular transition considerably less stressful than our residency match years ago, when everything felt much more immediate and intense. I couldn’t be prouder of Connor’s relentless hard work, unwavering dedication, and the countless sacrifices he’s made throughout his residency. These efforts have paved the way for us to reach this pivotal point, bringing us closer to the culmination of his demanding medical training.

However, despite the careful planning, never in a million years could we have predicted how these final months of residency would unfold, nor how our time in Chicago would draw to a close amidst unprecedented global circumstances. The blend of excitement for the future and sadness at leaving a cherished home creates a profound sense of bittersweetness that truly defines this moment.

The Logistics of Leaving: A Cross-Country Journey in Challenging Times

The wheels are truly in motion now. In less than two weeks, our movers will arrive to pack up our belongings, and we will begin our cross-country drive. This journey will be quite the adventure in itself, with our beloved cat and dog, Marley, accompanying us every step of the way. It’s a road trip we’ve anticipated for a long time, but one that comes with a complex array of emotions.

There’s undeniable excitement for the new opportunities and experiences that await us in Salt Lake City. Yet, there’s also a profound sense of sadness as we prepare to leave Chicago. We’re saying goodbye to an amazing city that has given us so much, but even more significantly, we’re leaving behind dear friends who have become like family. The thought of being physically distanced from these cherished relationships is truly difficult. Compounding these natural emotions is the added layer of stress and anxiety that comes with undertaking a major relocation during a global pandemic. The logistics are more complicated, and the emotional weight is undoubtedly heavier.

Despite these challenges, I’ve felt a deep sense of restlessness over these last few months, a feeling I’m sure many can relate to in our current global climate. While bidding farewell to our wonderful Chicago neighborhood, which has been our sanctuary for five years, is bittersweet, we are incredibly excited about what we stand to gain in Salt Lake City. We envision a lifestyle surrounded by nature: expansive green spaces, including a much-desired fenced-in backyard for Marley to enjoy, and immediate access to breathtaking hiking trails and outdoor adventures. This move represents not just a change of address, but a welcome shift in lifestyle and pace that we are eagerly anticipating.

It will undoubtedly be a transition, demanding adaptability and patience, but it’s a welcome and necessary change that feels right for us at this moment.

Embracing a New Beginning: Adventures Await in Salt Lake City

It seems to be a recurring trend in our lives, but I have spent absolutely no significant time in Salt Lake City, aside from a brief blogging retreat to nearby Park City several years ago. Similar to our initial move to Chicago, we don’t have immediate family close by in Utah. This means we will once again be starting fresh, building a new community and discovering a new rhythm of life.

Starting over, especially in the current climate, comes with its own set of challenges and a myriad of emotions. It can be hard, even daunting, to step into the unknown. However, we are enthusiastically looking forward to this new chapter, this exciting year of growth, exploration, and new beginnings. We are eager to immerse ourselves in the culture, landscape, and community of Salt Lake City, and discover all that this new home has to offer us.

We absolutely cannot wait to share more details of our journey and adventures in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can follow along with more behind-the-scenes glimpses and real-time updates over on our Instagram. The next year promises to be an extraordinary adventure, filled with discovery, learning, and new experiences, and I am so looking forward to bringing all of you along for the ride. Your support and engagement mean the world to us.

Thank you so incredibly much for your patience and understanding during these last few months as we’ve been quietly preparing for this monumental moment. And thank you in advance for your continued patience in the coming weeks as we undertake our cross-country move and work to get settled into our new life in Salt Lake City. Your readership and encouragement are truly appreciated more than you know.