By Katarina Ilic of www.LivingInBelgrade.com

A male friend of mine, a married male friend, recently shared with me that it’s possible for a man to love more than one woman. Hmmm…suspect. I’m not sure about that one.

But what I am sure about is that you can love more than one city.

My mom and stepdad were in Victoria’s Secret recently (cute, huh?) when my stepdad saw this super cute hoodie (a sweatshirt with a hood, for those of you who don’t know American slang) and suggested they buy it for me. My mom thought I wouldn’t wear something like that, but boy was she wrong. I will wear it and I will wear it loud and proud.

Said hoodie (pictured on the left) arrived in the mail last week and immediately I fell in love. Not only is it extremely comfy, but it’s full of sequins and sequins make me happy…as do polka dots…and pink…and hot shoes…but I digress.

Most importantly, it’s the message of the hoodie that means so much to me. It reminds me that loving Belgrade does not mean I love Chicago any less (so maybe my married friend had a point?). Just because I moved to a new city does not mean that I will ever forget Chicago…and the people in it. What makes up life other than the people in our lives? The people we share life with.

Chicago gave me so much…my education, friends, loved ones, amazing people and experiences and the people whom I love the most are in that city (you know who you are).

The 30 years that I spent in Chicago helped to shape me as a person. So I will wear it to signify my respect and appreciation for my past and foundation, while looking forward towards the future with excited anticipation of what’s next for me, in this city, and wherever else I end up.

People still ask me where I like it better, but there is no better, only different.

And looking at the new bridge makes me think…

Just like the bridge links one side of Belgrade to the other, perhaps I am like that bridge…linking one city to another, one nation to another. Bringing a little bit of Chicago to Belgrade, and bringing Belgrade closer to Chicago.

Whatever is my purpose here in Belgrade, I know this much for sure…

With my past firmly rooted in my heart and soul, I look forward to my future…

Maybe that’s what Belgrade can do, too.