You couldn’t have paid me to predict that I’d land myself back in Texas, let alone cozied up to the San Antonio Riverwalk of all places. But here I am, about a week from leaving, awkward with the emotions I feel for this hot, humid place that ushered me into a more present and better organized chapter of my life.

It’s not that I wasn’t career-driven in DC; I just didn’t know what I didn’t know. I was both naive and highly determined (a recipe for getting your a** handed to you in the restaurant industry). I worked two jobs - one day, one night - for nearly three years and prided myself on minimal hours of sleep.

Then the pandemic hit in March 2020. The same time 1 year before, I’d been working every day and night - including weekends. Diego led me to San Antonio, a slower-paced environment that brings me back to my Texas roots. 

It’s been a grounding experience, the right time and place to remind myself things like: Less perfect, more me. Less productive, more present. Less box checking and crossed off tasks, more plants in dirt and paint on hands. Less burning out, more stepping back.

The city itself is not just hot - it’s literally ‘warm’: the people, the culture, the food - like a hug.

There is no replacing the community that my friends and I have created here. What started as a few friends, some old, some new, evolved into a real-life safe haven. We approached early pandemic hangouts with care, testing and sticking among our bubble. We explored San Antonio and Austin, even hit a Texas beach AND mid-state winery. We took every ounce of whatever the pandemic sparked between us and let something special grow. Like friends you’ve known forever, that same connection happens when you force your way through COVID times, as your state denies reality and attempts to dumb down the global treachery unfolding around you.

We were here through them undoing Roe v. Wade, too - and, unsurprised but just as disheartened, watched Texas become one of the first states to make abortion illegal. We watched Beto lose again, but the state inch towards more civic engagement - even seeing the # of blue votes we saw were strides.

We survived one member of the group take a bold leap after slaying her Masters, and she moved to Austin, where she now works for their booming city government. We watched the waves of layoffs, and saw another member lose her job. She took some time to figure it out and came back swinging with shiny presentations to demonstrate her work, resulting in multiple offers. And now another one of us is headed to Chicago to pursue a degree in Urban Planning, and I’m headed to El Paso. 

We all continue to put ourselves out there - even when it’s scary, or requires the sacrifice of physical distance.

San Antonio will always be the backdrop of this community we created. And that’s made this random Texas city so much more special to me.