10 years ago today, I set foot on Texas soil. Her newest resident. Anxious & excited, but moreso tired, I was ready to soak up all the splendor and dreams that were promised.
Don and I moved here for him to start a new job. Just two days later, I would take a full-time job as well. We left the kids behind in the care of their grandparents as we set out on this new adventure. No place to live – we set up house in a Motel 6 Extended Stay hotel. We figured that we could suck it up for 2 weeks while we found a house, then have the kids join us. That 2 weeks turned into 6 weeks before we knew it. Our adventure had definitely begun.
Moving across the country with a 1 & 2 year old is probably the most adventurous thing that we’ve done. But, I honestly can’t imagine our life if we hadn’t take the leap of faith and just gone for it! Avery and Piper have no memory of living in Tennessee at all. They are Texans through and through. They are as proud a citizen as anyone that’s lived here for 8 generations (and believe me, there are a lot of those types!)
There’s a lot to be said for living with no family around you. There are so many times, especially when you are alone with babies, that you would love to have your mom come to help or just to be a witness to all of the cool things that are happening. We learned quickly to pack as much into visits as possible and make the most of every second that we have face-to-face with family. Before the days of smartphones, we were constantly taking photos and sending them via email – almost daily – so that everyone could feel more a part of what was going on in our lives.
10 years later, we are the most loyal residents ever. We have passed on opportunities to live other places and transition to jobs in other parts of the country – and probably have cut ourselves short more than one time. Times have not always been easy; it hasn’t been a consistent bed of roses. But, the good that we have found here far outweighs the bad many times over.
Texas has seen my kids lose their first teeth. Welcomed them on their first day of kindergarten. Protected them in a hurricane. Educated them well beyond the national average. Given them an appreciation for the fine arts that many adults don’t have. Texas has led them to Jesus. Allowed us to put a roof over their heads and food on the table. Introduced us to friends that have loved and mentored us.
I’m still floored when I think that we have been here for 10 years. It really does seem like yesterday. The state song of Texas is titled “Texas, Our Texas.” It ends with, “God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong, That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.”
God Bless Texas. Here’s to many more years.
