Two Young Ladies Starting Their Life Journeys in California

September 14, 2022

We had hours of fun with our nieces!

On Sunday, we drove 30 minutes up the coast to see our niece Brianna in La Jolla, CA. Brianna is Jay’s sister Leslie’s daughter. She moved to California in 2020 (yes, during the pandemic… guess it’s in the family genes to move during a 100-year pandemic) from Minnesnowta because “it was time to take a chance.”

How brave! Moving across country, no job, no friends (except the one she drove out with), no family… just doing it because she knew she wanted to live on the coast and experience adventure! She said she was inspired by a book we gave her about the ocean ❤️

She quickly found an apartment, landed two jobs, dumped her problematic car and bought a scooter. Soon, after the pandemic began to ease, she resumed her career, this time at a high end salon in downtown La Jolla where she’s established a fiercely loyal and fast-growing client base. What an accomplishment! Brianna, we couldn’t be more proud of you! Wow. Keep going girl! You’re doing GREAT!

On Monday, my sister Sylvia’s daughter Darby came to visit. We had stopped for dinner with her a few nights ago and toured her new condo in North Park, San Diego. Darby came by the campground to walk the beach with the dogs and enjoy a Chef Jay dinner.

Darby recently graduated from UCLA and started her career with a law firm in La Jolla. She’s loving her new job (doing environmental studies for corporate clients) and just moved into a sweet condo with a friend. Their condo is within walking distance to a TON of lively restaurants and bars! We had dinner at a great Italian joint near her home.

She’s joined several sports leagues in her new town, has taken trips to new places (Joshua Tree!) with her friends, went on a spontaneous solo journey to Alaska, and is excitedly making plans for future travels while keeping an eye on her career, wherever that may take her! Darby, you’re one amazing, energetic young woman! We know your future’s bright and we’re going to love watching where life’s journey takes you. Oh, the places you’ll go!

We’re just so happy that we’ll be able to see both Brianna and Darby over the years as we visit “our second home” in Coronado! Of course, Tucson is just a short drive away, so both highly accomplished nieces will be visiting sunny (and dry) Oro Valley too!