A year later

 (The view from the moving truck last November 1)

 Here we are, a year into our cross-country trek from the great state of Oklahoma to the gorgeous abundance of North Carolina.

I can’t specify whether time has flown or slowed. Neither feels appropriate. Moving day in 2011 doesn’t seem like yesterday, but it also doesn’t seem like a light year away. It’s a weird feeling of time.

We’ve done a lot and learned a lot over the past year. It’s been relatively uneventful in the grand scheme of things, yet full of memorable moments. Overall, it's been a growing year of spreading our wings, becoming independent and being still.

Learned:
1.    Who matters to you and who you matter the most to.
2.    That our home for so many years may not be our home, after all. The same can be said for our home of the last year.
3.    How quiet our lives really are and how easily we can be affected by stimuli.
4.    That the people we thought would call all of the time doesn’t. The ones that do are a pleasant surprise.
5.    That what we put into our bodies and surround ourselves with does impact our lives. Everything has a reason and everything can positively or negatively impact you.
6.    That moving across the country for a distraction doesn’t create a baby, but does create an experience to last a lifetime.

The year in recap:
1.    We’ve “vacationed” in Asheville, New York City, Wrightsville, Reidville and Richmond.
2.    Five people have visited us from Oklahoma City and we loved every minute of it.
3.    Things we’ve enjoyed: Farmer’s markets, exploring RDU, watching the planes land/take off, new food hot spots, Thursday night trivia, having sand in the back of our car (from the beach), short flights, patio meals, visits to Duke Chapel and the Gardens, Broadway shows, exploring new towns, trips with friends, embracing the "Southern-way" and learning our way around.
4.    I’ve traveled to the following states this year (with work) – California, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia.

Things I’m looking forward to over the next year:
1.    Moving from what feels like an urban dorm to a “grown-up” place: Yea, we had to do it once in our lives – the urban life of noise, brick and hip, hot spot – but now we’re done with that.  We’re excited to move to a place a bit more like our home in OKC, but with all of the headaches removed (i.e. no long commute).
2.    A concert at the Carolina Theatre: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy
3.    Going to the beach when it is cold. Yea, we’re doing this.
4.    Finding a church, tribe and community.
5.    A large vacation and a few small ones
6.    Travis’s graduation.
7.    Spring time in Durham with the Dogwoods in bloom.

8.    More visitors!