Oh Houston. What a roller coaster it has been. Since 2011, you have been our place of refuge, our home. I still remember the day we moved from New Orleans to the great state of Texas. It really doesn’t seem all that long ago. Notorious B.I.G. was playing in the background as we crossed the Atchafalaya bridge with a wish and prayer that we could make a life in H-Town. The first three months were a blur – coffeeshops and studying for the Texas Bar took up ALL our time but even with little time to explore, I knew this great city would become part of our fabric, part of our DNA.
After the Bar, I moved from my somewhat terrifying sublet behind Demeris BBQ– suffice it to say there were roaches EVERYWHERE and a man who lived in the dumpster – to the pearly gates of an apartment complex in the Montrose area. It was walking distance to all my favorite coffeeshops and restaurants and I was excited to explore my new hood. It was also the first time that Rohan & I lived in a city on our own and we were excited for the adventure that awaited us. Soon, we made friends. Gracious, kind, heart-the-size-of-Texas friends. They are the ones that made me fall in love with Texas. They taught me what this city and this state is all about.
We have had some great memories here. We went from just dating to happily married – #allwedoiswedwedwed – we moved in together, we bought our first house, and we have made lifetime friends who have become part of our family. But, as life goes, we have also had some personal tragedies that we had to fight to overcome. Throughout those challenging times, our friends and family, our co-workers, the people of Houston have come together and offered a shoulder for us to lean on when we truly needed it. Simple smiles and hellos from people on the street, unexpected friendships made at neighborhood joints like Paulie’s and Agora, unending texts to send good thoughts and good vibes – that is what kept our heads up.
There are some cities that make a lasting impression on you and just like a ride-or-die best friend or a family member, they can change you in ways you cannot imagine. Over the years, I have fallen in love with the great city of Houston. It has become more than a home to us, it is now part of who we are. Its spirit is not easily shaken and the amazing people who make this city so great will stop at nothing to ensure that its bright light never goes dark.
Houston. You have my heart. Always will.
Texas Forever.