While I wanted to experience living with my Coach, I didn't necessarily want to give up all the things about Columbus that had become near and dear to my heart. Sure, there were the frivolous things {like Zest Juice and Dewey's Pizza, Target and multiple-movie-playing cineplexes} - but there were more serious aspects to a move too. I'd miss my Pure Barre pals, my co-workers and my amazing progressive Catholic church, my boxing club, my unbelievably motivating trainer, and most of all - everything that had to do with the fur babies {now up to two, if you're keeping track}. I would be walking away from a life that I had {albeit hesitantly} taken up two years ago... when I first left the South for {you guessed it} football and love.
And yet, there was really no choice. Football chose for us. With appropriate fanfare, I did a farewell tour of Columbus {see #CBUSfarewelltour, I think?!} and packed up another classroom {4th one if you're counting} and moved to the base of the mountains. In case you were wondering, there are no "farm to table" restaurants, no hot yoga studios, no boxing clubs, and no juice bars with flavored cashew milk. There is no Target and {to everyone's amazement who knows me} there is no Pure Barre. There is a very well-run recreational center on campus. And a Buffalo Wild Wings. I told myself I would not only survive, but thrive.
Fast forward through the summer, and I was still trying to tread water in a pond that couldn't seem to hold me. I wasn't UNhappy, but I wasn't quite comfortable yet either. Truthfully, I don't know if it will ever be quite the right fit, but I'm learning a lot about myself {in a very non-granola, hippie kind of cliche way}. And I'm starting to find the things that I love. Believe it or not, this revelation of sorts started at {where else} the football field. {Cue the cloying exclamations like "oh" and "ah"}
The best thing about Morehead is that I am making a family that I never got to finish at any of our other schools. Regardless of the weather, I hit up practice at least once a week {- would be there everyday if that didn't make me look like a slightly deranged stalker/mother figure}. More than ever before, I KNOW our boys... their birthdays, their sense of humor, their snack preferences.... I know things like:
1. Justin will also seem slightly stand-offish and aloof. That doesn't mean he doesn't like me {I hope}.
2. He also looks like Morris Chestnut. For real.
3. Braylyn will always stay after practice with Justin and whomever else wants to get better that day. {That makes me want to spend more time making myself better at what I do too}.
4. Adam will always be surrounded by random blonde sorority girls after games. I will always give him a hard time about it.
5. My Cincinnati boys will always be at Sunday morning mass. {That makes me want to be better at that too}.
6. Dom will always find a way to get hurt. His mother will always roll her eyes about it. She will also always have the best tailgate food. And let me crash her party.
7. Eric Pugh's little girl smiles just like him. I hope she gets his tenacity too.
8. Hats are not for everyone {ahem, my husband and his wannabe relationship with the visor}. Except for Melon - Melon can wear all types of hats and get away with it.
9. B. Louder will always find a way to be an important part of the team, injured or not.
10. B. Duncan is the most amazing older brother. {Just ask his little sisters.... they are tough critics}.
11. Trey and Sayyid are very quiet, but they are always thinking something. And when I least expect it - the best one liners come out in the calmest voices.
12. It's extremely fun to yell Shavi's full name over and over before and after extra point kicks and field goal attempts. {5/5 football WAGS at Morehead agree}.
13. Turk could run through a wall. Especially if he is hungry.
14. There is nothing more hilarious than watching the Special Teams kickers and punters during practice.
Between these boys and the Morehead State Football WAGS {wives and girlfriends. You'd know that if you watched E!} have made my little pond a lot deeper. For once, football seems to have done me a service. Not because we're winning, and not because an Eagle is a pretty kick-ass mascot. {And not because I look AMAZING in royal blue and gold... well, partially?!} I don't know if we will win a championship. I don't know how long football will keep us here. But I do know that the old adage is true. Home is where the field is. Even if the closest juice bar is 72 minutes away....
XO,
