I’m Falling In Love . . .

 .  . . with Arizona. I never thought I’d say that. Ever. I’ve always liked Arizona. I’ve always tolerated Arizona. I’ve always been content with Arizona. But I had huge longings for fresh clean air that you can only truly find in the midwest . I had desire for open highways and colorful landscape that stretched for miles. I yearned for bright blue skies. Small towns and simple living. I wanted to step outside on the back porch of a home we owned into my own oasis. A peaceful and still vision of land that never ended, roaming animals, and wild flowers. The sound of water bubbling nearby in a brook. The hum of tractors in the distance, the music of farm dogs barking.

I was so clouded by that vision that I failed to see the true beauty of Arizona, which is everywhere, even here in the overly populated valley that I call home. I’ve become accustomed to the hustle and bustle. The crowds that never thin. The freeways that crisscross and maze around eachother. The constant prodding traffic. Nights that never sleep. Summers so hot it’s all you can do to not burn your fingers when you touch the door of your car.

Arizona has beautiful mountains just waiting to be hiked. Endless sunny days. Colorful plants/flowers and wildlife designed to withstand the heat and dryness in a way that can only bring joy to the sight of a sand colored landscape.  Resources of all kinds at your fingertips. Need a certain brand of peanut butter? Just drive down Bell Rd for a few minutes and you’ll have several stores to pick from. Of course this could also go the other way to the point of spending TOO much money. I once found myself driving to four different Kohls in search of a pair of pants I just had to have but which was lacking my size in the first three stores I visited. And lets not forget to mention a Starbucks on every corner.

Most importantly, I love my job. I love our home. I love the community Ben and I have built around ourselves. Always changing, always moving forward, but always comforting.

If I had to say one thing I love the most, I love the illusion of freedom that living in a big city gives.  An “”open-ness” that is hard to find in small midwestern towns.

Right now, I love Arizona. I will always love Iowa and the visions described above…maybe some day that is where we’ll end up. I will always love and be open to the idea of living elsewhere.

But for now, AZ fits ME.