There are so many things that need to be said about today.
In recent years, I always wake up full of joy on March 2nd. Texas Independence Day is such a fun day in the Lone Star State. On September 2, 2014 I woke up way too early for a flight I wasn’t mentally prepared for. I had spent the whole night out with the sweetest friends say goodbye to Orlando. I remember sitting waiting to board our flight shaking not sure if it was from the cold or nerves. I didn’t know the impact that one way flight would make.
My time in Texas sometimes seems like one big blur. It’s full of so many joys, so many firsts, and so many valleys. Starting in Allen, living with a friend in Frisco, going to work in Camp Kiowa in Gainesville, working in Sky Ranch in Van to having my very first apartment in North Dallas. Texas took me so many places. Introduced me to so many people. People who I just met in passing, people who changed the way I think, people who change the way I love, people who change the way I fight, people who changed my walk with Christ. I am proud to say Texas shaped me in the man I am today.
When I look at these pictures I laugh because I remember the valley and how deep in the valley I truly was. But yet, it was the best times of my life. Texas gave me some of the best friends I’ve ever had, the greatest stories to tell, the sweetest summers working at camps with the greatest campers and memories that last a lifetime.
For some people, it’s LA, when they see the Hollywood sign or go to Runyon canyon they know. For others, it’s New York City. They see their first broadway show, stand in Times Square and breathe it in and inhale the colors with their eyes and know they were made for this city. For me, it was having my Bible Fellowship class scream my name to come outside only to find my first sight of fresh snowfall. It was having two of my best friends come into town for my birthday and crying in a Rosas realizing how blessed to call these people friends. It’s having a friend who will drive 30 minutes out of our way to go to Bucees after seeing Willie Nelson just because she knows how much you love it.
This Year I realized I’ll be on a completely different continent for the next Texas Independence Day. And as I reflect, I pray that I can be as faithful and kind to the people I’ll meet through out this process as much as The Lord blessed me with in Texas.
I hope your day is filled with country music, breakfast tacos, two stepping with the locals, brisket, longhorn sightings, HEB, honey butter chicken biscuits, jalapeño ranch, a killer Texas sunset and a midnight trip to Bucees.
Happy Texas Independence Day from yours truly,
Z
