I texted a friend today and told her, "After four years in my house and five years in Oklahoma, I just had this moment of clarity, that this was my home." As much as I miss my family and friends in Ohio, Tulsa is my home and where my roots are. Not only did I meet my husband here and create a life here - we have lived a lot of "life" here... if you know what I mean.
But it's about so much more than the experiences we have shared, endured, or created.
My favorite thing about quitting my job in November of 2022, feeling totally lost, and choosing to pursue something in the health and wellness industry, is that I have met this incredible community of people. In taking the leap to immerse myself in that community, it gave me the courage to start creating more of my own community in our very own neighborhood. And it's just so... cool.
Now, when I attend community collabs around the Tulsa area, I find myself running into familiar faces and happy to catch up with people I have not seen in a while. Now, when I walk up and down our road, I stop and chat with neighbors who are outside. Now, when I show up to volleyball each week, I have a group of friends I am genuinely excited to see.
Have I ever ranted about how hard it is to create new friendships as an adult?
But like with anything else, you have to trust the process. I have been here five years, and I just registered that this spot is my home this very week. Not because James is here, not because my house is here, but because I have a community of people - for the first time in my life - that are not solely my coworkers.
I attended one of Oklahoma Center for Wellness's Community Collabs this week after taking quite a bit of time off from my recent miscarriage and it was honestly healing. To walk in the door and see friendly faces, get a hug, chat with those I know, and meet new connections in the process? Amazing.
A couple weeks ago, one of our neighbors organized a community garage sale for the weekend James and I were going to be out of town. When I shared this with them, they were happy to have us drop off anything we wanted to contribute to set up at their house. The evening we dropped the items off, my mom was in town to dog sit for us so she tagged along. We chatted with them for a bit and she shared with my mom that I am always inviting her and the others to walk the road, and the inclusivity of it warmed my heart. It makes me happy to know that my neighbors know they can stop me, reach out, or walk with me at any time - and vice versa.
We have attended several weddings now for friends in the state of Oklahoma. We have run into people we know at restaurants. We have hosted block parties or coworker get togethers in our home.
But at the end of it all, it was last night that I was changing into pj's and looked at the graduation gift that I put together for Serenity's friend sitting on my dresser, that it hit me - very specifically - that I was at home.
They say that home is where the heart is, and I agree with that. But two things can be true, and I say: home is where the community is.
I love this! I loved meeting your neighbors, I loved the time I went to watch your sand volleyball games and your team was so nice! I of course know a few of Serenity's friends and am thankful that you guys have kept in touch. As much as I would love to see you more, I am so happy for you and James who we love so much. Love the reference from my favorite childhood movie, Wizard of Oz 😊