This weekend, we're making the move back to Atlanta.
I never really explained why we were moving back. Mostly, it has to do with Darryl's job. As he has accepted a new job and I have been offered (and I have accepted) a job at my old school, things are falling into place as we head to Georgia.
As much as Atlanta really feels like "home" to us now, and as much as we are excited about the journey ahead, leaving Baton Rouge isn't easy. We've reunited with old friends and made many new friends, especially through Amelia's school and my job. Over the past few weeks, there have been many farewell lunches, coffee meet-ups, and playdates--lots of partings that we refuse to call "goodbyes" and instead call "see you laters." This was hard when we left Atlanta, and it is hard again as we leave Baton Rouge. I know we will be happy in Atlanta and this feels like the right move for us now, but Baton Rouge definitely has a piece of our hearts.
When we left Atlanta, I created this list of the things I would miss about Atlanta. It seems only appropriate that I should show Baton Rouge that same love, right?
So here it is, folks--The Top Things I Will Miss Most About Baton Rouge:
1. Just like the list for Atlanta, obviously friends are what we will miss most. Any time I think about giving up Facebook, I think of how much I have enjoyed keeping in touch with my friends who live far away. And thank goodness for texting as well!
2. Amelia's school. Amelia is about to go to an excellent school in Georgia, and I am so excited about that. But the little school under the oak trees that she has attended for the past two years has been such a nurturing environment for her (and honestly, for all of us), and it was fun just to see her thrive both socially and academically.
3. The food. Y'all. I'll just list some of my favorites -- French Market Bistro (where I had lunch today with my friend Martha), Bistro Byronz (I guess I have a thing for bistros), Roberto's, Zippy's Burritos, Fat Cow Burger, Coffee Call (for beignets), DiGiulio Brothers, Sammy's (for crawfish, especially). The food is no joke. (Also, Atlanta friends...if you see me soon and I look a little "puffy," you should know that we have eaten at almost all these restaurants in the last week. Don't judge. It was our Farewell Tour of Food.)
4. The HUGE oak trees -- so beautiful and majestic. (This is also a family joke because when we lived here about 14 years ago, Darryl's dad came to visit and would NOT stop talking about the oak trees. Any time one of us goes on and on about the trees, the other one will say, "All right, Benny. You and your oak trees." Also, this really may be a "you have to be there" situation to find this humorous. At all.)
5. LSU / Life in a college town. I love LSU's campus (stucco buildings and oak trees, for the win), and I enjoyed my job there. I also just love the energy of a college town. Even though I am far past college age, the town just seem alive...especially during football season. :-)
6. Louisiana in the spring. Okay. Admittedly, I complain (A LOT) about the weather here. Last week, it felt as though the air was a warm, wet washcloth. Gross. But there are a few weeks in the spring where the weather is beyond words -- it looks beautiful and smells like a gardenia. It's pretty awesome.
7. Cool traditions and holidays. Obviously, Mardi Gras comes to mind. (And to me, Mardi Gras means king cake. Also, if you live outside of Louisiana, that dry king cake you buy at Target or Walmart is not even in the ballpark of how king cake is supposed to taste.) However, things like the fireworks along the bayou on Christmas Eve (to light the way for Santa) -- so fun!
Oh, Baton Rouge. This isn't goodbye; it's a "see you later."
