10 Years

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of my arrival in Montgomery. I can not believe it has been 10 years. I can remember the 2 day journey from the north to south like it was yesterday. We got up early on a Thursday. It was Thanksgiving day to be exact. My parents drove down with me and my little dog Bailey. My dad drove his truck pulling a little Uhaul with my things and Bailey road with him. My mom and I were in my car with the back filled with whatever I could fit in the back of a tiny Escort.
It was cold and dark when we left and there was a good amount of snow on the ground. We stopped some where in Ohio at a Waffle House for Thanksgiving breakfast. We stayed overnight in a hotel in Kentucky. I remember we had to sneak Bailey in with us.
We got into Montgomery late in the afternoon. I didn't really know it at the time, but I remember driving down 65 through Prattville into Montgomery and seeing the buildings, not realizing that was downtown Montgomery. It was such a bright, warm and beautiful day. We got off at the bypass and went the wrong way. We headed towards Eastdale Mall instead of Montgomery Mall. Even though I had never been to Montgomery before then, I knew about the 2 malls and their location from Travis, so I knew Eastdale mall when we drove down by it to turn around and head the other way.
I am from a small city, you know. Our main road (Ford Rd) had traffic on it similar to Vaughn Rd I suppose, during 5:00 traffic. That was considered very busy to us. So imagine driving in Montgomery on Eastern BLVD (which is busy to start with) and doing it on the busiest shopping day of the year. Uh, yeah. I was a little freaked out at the traffic to say the least. I think it was a couple of months before I felt confident enough to drive on that road. Of course now it's a piece a cake.
We got to the apartment and got my things moved in. We had dinner at Longhorn that night and then my parents left to go back to Michigan first thing in the morning. I remember how tough that was, saying good bye to them. I am sure it was even harder on them. After they left I did a little more unpacking, got dressed and walked across the street to mall to call Travis (phone wasn't hooked up yet).
Travis knocked on the apartment door and I remember all the details of that moment as well, but I will keep those to myself. *smirk*.

So here we are now, 10 years later and life is much different. Now we are married, home owners and known as Mommy and Daddy. Bailey is no longer with us, but we have our dog Kasper, and the cat, Oliver. I don't think anyone who knew us at the time ever believed that this is where we would be 10 years later. I am sure a lot of people expected me to be back in Michigan within the year. I didn't have an expectations when I moved here, but I am surprised I am still here considering my feelings about Montgomery.

So that's it. Ten years (and a day).

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy 10 Years! Glad you moved here :-)

Dawn

Anonymous said...

Wow! I didn't realize you'd been here 10 years!