see, when beau and i first moved here i hated this place. it's tucked wayyyyy back, away from what most would consider 'civilization', in the hills of southeastern ohio. it's a small town, too. only like eight square miles with about 20,000 people - most of which, i'm assuming, are the college students. and, going with the whole away-from-civilization-thing, athens is a true college town. i classify a town as being a true college town when there is nothing in that city BUT the university. [beau and i have had multiple heated conversations about the definition but i'm right]. now, sure, there are businesses in the surrounding areas that employ lots of locals, but in athens county, ohio university is the largest employer. period.
sooo, after about 6 months of being homesick and feeling sorry for myself, i finally snapped out of it. [then winter hit and that cycle started all over again, but didn't last as long]. looking back on our time here, i hate to admit it, but this little place has grown on me. all along we knew this would be a short-term stay. one of beau's professors put it perfectly - "you came here to leave". we knew we would be here for two years and then peace-out, but i don't think either of us expected our time here to go by so fast, nor did we expect to meet half of the amazing people we've gotten so close with - people whom we would have never had the chance to meet if we didn't take a leap of faith and move 1,000 miles away from our 'home'.
having to leave athens two months earlier than planned is so so bittersweet. i mean, we are moving to south bend for beau to start a position at notre dame. it's an unbelievable opportunity that we couldn't be more thankful for. but, that means we have to leave behind the place we've made our home...our first home as mr. and mrs.
today is our last day in athens. our life has been stuffed into boxes and the truck is being packed. i will miss this litte town and all it's shenanigans - court street, shuffles, two-for-tuesdays, my haning crazies, the uneven brick roads that make you feel like your car has hydraulics, the hippies at the farmers market, the "sig. others" and our dinner dates, being able to walk everywhere, the dance floor at broney's, but mostly we will miss the people. we love each and every person that has been apart of our life here in athens. you all have made our experience what it was, and it was nothing short of unforgettable. thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being so welcoming and giving us the gift of your friendship. you will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
...know we will be back - even if just for a visit :D
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