A Love Letter to Portland

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Downtown Portland Roses are red, violets are blue,
They say life is weird, and Portland is too.
But Stumptown, I love you, and need you to know
Why each year that passes, my love seems to grow.

I’d like to tell you from deep in my soul
Why you’re so spectacular. You ready? Let’s go.
To start, The Unipiper fills my heart with glee,
As do the chants of the Timbers Army.
But then, it gets better, there’s so so much more,
Because – good heavens! – we have Powell’s bookstore.

There’s breweries, the Pearl, and scenic Mt Tabor,
Tryon Creek, two rivers, roasters serving up flavor,
First and Last Thursday, small vintage shops,
Not to mention a few dozen hiking spots!

Portland, I don’t know how you do what you do,
Even your doughnuts are filled with voodoo!
If I wasn’t married, “I do” I would say
At the world’s smallest park on Naito Parkway.

But in this Silicon Forest so near to Mt Hood,
It’s the bounty you offer my kids that’s so good:
Swimming, berry-picking and days at the coast,
Kid fun-runs and restaurants and what they love most,
Indoor playgrounds, parades, and bike paths, too,
Or the Children’s Museum and the Oregon Zoo.

You’ve given my family a place to call home,
So we’re in for the long haul, with no need to roam.
My hope is that we can grow old together,
And keep this City of Roses blooming forever.
So Portland, what this poem is trying to say
Is I send you my love this Valentine’s Day.

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Lee Ann
Lee Ann moved to Portland in 2008 following an eight-year stint in Paris, France, where her eldest was born. Though she thought nowhere could compete with the City of Lights, the City of Roses immediately stole her heart. As a great place to raise kids, she loves getting out and exploring the city and the PNW with her husband and four young children. While in France, Lee Ann earned a B.A. in Journalism and a Master's in Linguistics at the American University of Paris and L'Universite de Paris - La Sorbonne, respectively, before returning stateside to become a Speech-Language Pathologist through the Portland State University graduate program. Throughout her studies, she kept one foot in the digital world, writing content for publications and creating websites for clients. After many years as a medical Speech Pathologist, she left to the field to continue freelance writing, become the owner of Portland Mom Collective (!), and to create a crafting/workshop space for PDX makers. She likes to spend whatever "me" time she can muster making soap, geocaching, jogging, sewing, and staring at the wall with no small humans talking to her. Get in touch by sending a note to leeann {at} portlandmomcollective {dot} com, or follow her on Instagram.