After graduation, and right before I returned for Second Term at Waldemar, Nick and I moved to "The Lake". More specifically, Lake LBJ: a beautiful, constant level lake where my family owns a house. Technically, we live in a city called Horseshoe Bay (filled mostly with retirees, or empty vacation houses), but we tell people we live in Marble Falls, since that's where the closest Wal-Mart is.
Life on the lake has been interesting. There are some major perks to our current situation. Limited expenses, beautiful view, great callings in our new ward, tons more space, the lake where both we and Kona (especially Kona) love to swim, etc. Life here is pretty good. Kona in particular is much happier with plenty of space to run and swim. A small one bedroom apartment doesn't really compare to a legitimate house on the lake.
Or does it?
While I'm very grateful for this opportunity, and really have no room to complain, part of me desperately misses the life we left behind in Austin. Having lived in big cities all my life (Houston and Austin), the transition to living in a small town where Wal-Mart is the economic and social center of the town has been a little rough. I've pretty much made up my mind that wherever Nick and I finally end up, it needs to be a big city. I never expected that to be what I would want, but it really is.
In addition to the challenges of adjusting to small town life, I also feel a little starved for friendships. Nick and I left a large network of friends in Austin. A group we love and had grown very close to over the years. Making friends here has been tough, not because people aren't friendly, but simply because there aren't very many people. And certainly not people at a similar stage of life. Like I said earlier, most of the houses out here are filled with retirees or are empty. We both have gained a new appreciation for what a blessing it is to have not only good friends, but good friends who live near by.
Last weekend, Nick and I met a few friends from Austin in San Antonio to attend the Temple and grab some lunch. That hour long lunch at a randomly chosen restaurant provided such an emotional boost for both of us. Thanks to Tamara and Becky for helping us stay sane!
I learn more and more every day, that life has very little to do with the stuff that is in your life, and much more to do with the relationships you build and the friendships you form. I am thankful for several close friendships I have had over the years, and I ponder the experiences and memories we have made frequently. There are days when I wish I could return to certain periods in my life, surrounded by joyous friendships and happy memories. For now though, I cultivate those friendships from afar, and hopefully, will continue to grow new friendships and make new memories.
I invite anyone reading this to reach out to a friend you haven't talked to in awhile, and just let them know that you are thinking about them. It will make their day. Trust me.
So, does it compare? Small one bedroom apartment with a family of friends all around versus a beautiful, spacious, and too-good-to-be-true lake house? Both places have great blessings to offer, and I am grateful to have had the chance to experience both. I change my mind often, but as I sit here tonight, my heart longs for that one bedroom apartment in the city that I fell in love with four years ago.
Tonight, I will dream of Austin.
