1) I still feel like I'm coming home every time, no matter how many years I've been gone! And it's the only city besides Aiken where I don't need a GPS.
2) I still get excited every time I see the mountains suddenly burst into view as I cross the border.
3) Everywhere I go, there's a memory. If I'm up on the Parkway, there's that tree I fell off of and got a huge goose egg on my noggin'. If I'm downtown, there's that restaurant where I went on my first (and last) blind date :). Driving down Merrimon takes me back to high school when I was always going over to the Councell's house. Going out to Fairview brings back all those square dances where I'd get wayyyy too hyper. Going through Haw Creek... well, I know exactly how painful it is running up each of those hills! And of course, the Asheville Mall takes me back to my 14 year-old self that spent her money way to easily and needed someone to tell her to chill on the boy craziness :).
4) Even though I've had my own house for 3 years, I still refer to my parent's house as home. And I will never not love waking up to the smell of Dad's coffee brewing and his waffles cooking!
5) THE FALL! I think everyone in the south knows what Asheville's fall season looks like, so no need to elaborate there.
6) The water and the air. I'll explain: in Aiken I have wavy hair that takes hours to dry and straighten. In Asheville, I have straight hair that takes 5 mins to dry it and I'm ready to go. Humidity is my enemy and Asheville only has a few months where it's bad.
7) Haw Creek. I can't remember not living in this neighborhood and I love the memories I have here. I think it was the greatest place to grow up!
8) Downtown. People who are not natives get so confused about it. They're like, "Wait, I thought we were in the South? What's with all the hippies, earth nuts, and liberals?" Haha. It's such a combination of everything and that's what makes it so interesting!
9) Doc Chey's! Only the best Thai/Asian restaurant I've ever been to! If you're ever in Asheville, go there and get the Spicy Thai Shrimp Rolls for an appetizer and either Pad Thai or Low Mein for your entree. Ah-ma-zing!
10) My friends :). I still have a lot of high school friends in the area and it's always great catching up when we visit. There's just something irreplaceable about having friends who have known you your whole life and still tolerate and love you!
Julia,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I know how you feel! I've had my own home for over 30 years now and still call Indiana home. And, there's not a place in the world where I get a better night's sleep than in my 94 year old Dad's house. For some reason I feel he's there taking care of me, that I'm safe and all is right w/ the world. It's a good comparison to how I should ALWAYS feel knowing that my more powerful and compassionate Heavenly Father is always watching out for me in the same way.
It was great seeing you this weekend, Julia. Know that you are loved here by the Haw Creek and Trinity folks and that you, Cole and your 2 beautiful babies are being prayed for.
Love, Susan Carlson
I love this. I love you! Miss you darling Juliaaaaaa!
ReplyDelete