It's Our Tulsaversary

Our last moments in Maryland, at one of our favorite spots.

Today, April 26th, marks our 365th day living in Tulsa Oklahoma. It might be hard for some to believe that have never been here, but moving to Tulsa has been one of the smartest and best decisions of my life.

Last April, Enzo and I moved from Gaithersburg, MD to Tulsa, OK. Although I knew where we were going, I wasn’t quite sure where we were headed. As I watched the only coast either of us had ever lived on fade, as we left each familiar state, so many thoughts crossed my mind:

”365 days from now will we be packing up to move right back to the DMV? If it’s not here, what city is for us? Is there even a city in this country that will feel like home? Should we just move to another country altogether? Could we actually, really find our place in Oklahoma?”

The latter seemed least likely a year ago today, but as of today, Tulsa has proven to the be best scenario for our current lives — for:
the way I want to build;
the way I want to actively be in community with others;
the way I want to show up and be shown up for;
the way I want to honor my ancestors;
the way I want to share the world, the truth about the history of this country and what is possible with my son, and so much more.

What I’ve been reminded of since we’ve been here is that life is for leaping, taking chances, betting on yourself and living on purpose. Since living here, I was told that we should strive to “die empty” — leave it all out there and make sure we’re all used up before we leave this planet. I feel like I can be put to great use here and I’m certainly going to make the best of my time while I’m here.

“What is for you will never miss you and what misses you was never for you. ”
— Unknown

I’m not sure if Tulsa is for a reason, a few seasons, or a lifetime, but I am certain that we are meant to be here. We were meant to meet the people we’ve met and will continue to meet. We weren’t placed here on accident, and we couldn’t have had the experiences we’ve had here this year had we just continued to just stay and exist where we were.

I couldn’t begin to share all the things we’ve gained in this move, but some of the highlights have been:

  • Having the Tulsa Remote community here already willing and ready to share their stories, experiences, and time

  • Exploring 22 states with my son

  • Watching my son fall in love with horses (and rodeo) like I did as a child

  • Visiting and learning about the remaining All-Black towns of Oklahoma and connecting with elders in these special towns

  • Wonderful neighbors who look out for each other

  • Being filmed by 20/20 about our life over the last 24 months

  • Meaningful conversations about our journey to Tulsa and hearing about the stories of others

  • Cowboy Enzo energy and all that comes with that

  • Sunset bike/scooter rides

  • Establishing new connections, deepening friendships, and reaffirming the meaning of family

  • A visit from Nana and Papa

  • Wandering the prairie screaming primal sounds with Titi Linda, Tio Keir, Tio Kenny and Xela

  • Being in Tulsa for the Centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre

  • Lazing around in my very own backyard

  • Confronting my fears with my son cheering me on

  • Enzo’s first sleep over with his cousins Gio and Gigi

  • Mini neighbors knocking on the door, looking for Enzo

  • Raising caterpillars and watching them turn into butterflies

  • Weekend trail rides and tubing on the many lakes of Oklahoma

  • Visiting new national parks

  • A sunset dip at Broken Bow

  • Photo walks in new cities

  • Mulitas de birria

  • Winding through a peace forest in South Dakota

  • Incredible sunflower fields in Nebraska

  • Tagging cars at Cadillac Ranch and Carhenge

  • Meow Wolf, Santa Fe

  • Our park day with cousins Tonia and Kai

  • Afternoons in the Philbrook Gardens

  • Dance battles in the Tulsa Botanic Gardens

  • Traveling 3 hours for the best Thai food in Oklahoma

  • Enzo’s first day of pre-school

  • Enzo’s second first day of pre-school

  • Everything Raising Radishes has gifted us

  • Learning / singing (and liking) Country songs and watching my son develop his own ‘Country boy swag’

  • Experiencing Yayoi Kusama and all things Crystal Bridges

  • All the mountain top You Tube video channel content making with Ranger Enzo

  • Getting a dog and then un-getting a dog

  • North Forest Lights in Bentonville, AR

  • Learning that this city girl really likes Arkansas

  • Birthday roadtrip to Marfa

  • Cleaning up the Boom Boom room and all its pallets

  • Time with Rachel and Maaaaatt

  • Returning to the DMV to spend time with family and being reminded that the love will always be there no matter where we are

  • Buying our first home

  • Being reminded by my son that Maryland/DC is NOT in fact home, but home is here, and home is us, together

Now we fight over who can wear the TUL hat vs. the Marfa hat…

Me: on our 365th day on OUR porch!

Enzo: in our backyard, before school, saying “GOOD MOOOOOORNING, TULSA!!” As he does every morning.

All that’s left to say is…come visit. It’s easier to understand when you visit.

Me, Enzo, and Tulsa are waiting for you!