pardon me boys...

I have spent 9 years of my life (4 in college and 5 after) in Chattanooga, TN. My time here yielded vast perspective on who I am as a person, my closest friends (some still here, some elsewhere) and the knowledge that I, like Eva Gabor in Green Acres, prefer the city to the country. All of these things could not change the fact that 3 years ago I was done with living here. Done. I had never been so glad to see a city in my rear-view mirror.

The three years I have been gone have seen my reality forever changed as well as my future plans shaken free of my expectations and ideas. It has also softened my heart for Chattanooga. I loved driving in yesterday and seeing the city framed by Signal and Lookout Mountains'. I enjoyed walking and talking with an old friend for hours and discovering midday that we have know each other for a third of our 30 year old lives. I was relieved to finally get to share an evening (and ice cream) with a friend who has been facing one of the most horrible tragedies I have ever experienced first hand.

Chattanooga, I am sorry I left in such a huff. I do love all that you have to offer and I will be back more often to visit.