Brenna Without Borders

Dear City of Bridges, City of the Three Rivers, Home of the Steelers, and Primanti Brothers –

What a wild ride we had. 27 precious years of my life were lived within your limits. I don’t really know what to say now that the time has come for us to part ways. I spent so many years of my life trying to run away, trying to escape the intensity of the black and gold. But you followed me everywhere I went.  To the Pirates towel hanging on the laundry line in Jamaica, to the Steelers bar in Rome. You really aren’t just confined to your tiny corner of Pennsylvania.  I think that is one of the things that makes you so great. Pittsburgh people can be found all over the world.  

The Pittsburgh community is one like no other.  A group of dedicated, loyal, and kind people. A city where everyone knows everyone, and if they don’t know you, they know someone you know. 

I love everything about this city.  The three rivers. The rickety, old incline that takes you up to Mount Washington.  The fact that unlike any other city in America, Pittsburgh does not use a grid system, but rather a series of one-way streets to get you through its triangular limits. The bridges are beautiful, the buildings are breathtaking. Pittsburgh is a city founded on blue-collar labor. The Steel mills. But it has grown and thrived with corporate jobs, startups, and more nonprofits than you would expect! Hardworking individuals with passion. 

I grew up in this city. My dad took me on bike rides down the riverfront trails when I was a little girl. Every Christmas our family would go down to PPG and watch the ice skaters and look at the Santa Claus’s from around the world. The Steelers were on every Sunday in our house. And while I’m not the biggest sports fan, when asked, I proudly report that I support all Pittsburgh teams.

 I attended Duquesne University and studied business. I spent four years of college in downtown Pittsburgh and then an additional four years starting off my career. A total of 8 glorious years I frequented the South Side bars, shopped in the Strip and Lawrenceville, took runs around the Point. I attended church at St.Mary of the Mount on Mount Washington and volunteered with local organizations. I built my life here.

This city brought me some of my all-time favorite people in the world. My best friend. My boyfriend. And a whole team of amazing individuals who even though I don’t see them every day, always have my back. I’m so grateful for these people and I know no matter where I live, I can always call on them.

Pittsburgh, I will always call you home. In all my years of travel, I have never found a city like you. Now that it is finally time to say goodbye, I’m finding it a lot more challenging than I expected to let you go. You will always be with me.

I have finally turned the page and my Pittsburgh chapter has come to a close.  On Monday, July 12th, 2021, Garrett and I packed up my Jeep, grabbed Linus, and drove to Savannah, GA. We are sad, scared, and excited all at the same time. 

This next chapter is fresh, no one knows me here, no one knows my family. I can start to build what I want for my life. I have wanted and prayed for this ever since Garrett left Pittsburgh in March of 2020. If Covid taught me anything it’s that life deserves to be lived boldly and we have to do the things that will make us happy.

While I will miss my friends, family, and you, Pittsburgh constantly; I’m excited to see what this next season and city holds. 

Love Always, 

Brenna