To write about summers in San Angelo would take me a lifetime, or at least close to it. It's home. It's a big, small town. It's the place where all my best friendships originated. It's the place that allows me to think, analyze, reminisce, laugh, cry, and have the best bourbon and 7up on the planet.
It's the place where I reconnect with my parents now that I'm a "grown-up", and yet they love to take care of my like I'm a kid. Hopefully I'll get to understand this beautiful, trying, sacrificial, and testament to God's grace kind of love in the next couple of years.
It's the place where I fell in love with running, at first to impress a boy, but for the last 10 years for me. It's the place I had my first kiss and first puppy love and first heart break. It's the place I hated while here and longed for when away. 
It is my room with westward facing windows that I dreamily looked out of on summer nights such as this. I prayed...for all sorts of youthful and trivial things, "please let him call me", "please let mom say my friends can spend the night". It is where I grew up. It is where I returned to appreciate my roots and see my new wings.
There's this certain trail that I love to run/walk when I'm home. It is cheapest form of therapy I've yet to find, complete with a full serving of vitamin D. I have analyzed, prayed through, repented, rejoiced both alone and in company, innumerable moments of my young adult life on this path. It's cathartic, surreal and even has my favorite birds from time to time.
So here I sit writing about what the "Thinking Trail" means to me now...that I'm 27, engaged, and have different priorities than ever before. As I think about the weight of what it means to commit one's life to another I am overjoyed, in awe, and a little bewildered at times.
Anyone who knows me will write this off as normal, over analytical Heather behavior, but there's more to it than that. It's OK to think, to analyze, to dream, and to wonder. Where do you think the most breath-taking art, moving symphonies, and life-altering literature was derived? Angst, people, whether in bliss or burden...it was thought-provoking angst.
I miss Jody...just a little. Well more than a little, alot. I've said many "see ya laters" in my life and until I had formulated a great mechanism for dealing with the sadness: I just pretend they didn't mean that much to me in the first place. Wow, I can't believe I actually just committed that to word. Nevertheless, that's what I've done for the last 10-12 years. "You're away, I'm sad, don't want to be, so what? I don't need you anyway".
Jody is so patient, so steady and I am so thankful to have him.I love him so much. Now don't get me wrong, He's got fire, passion, and he's not a pushover. In fact I like that he doesn't let me walk all over him, but he does listen and reassure. He consistently helps me to feel, to allow myself after all this time to be vulnerable...by the grace of God alone.
***Fun Story***
When I was 10 I discovered this street sign in Angelo that made me laugh and laugh for no apparent reason. I simply thought the name sounded great and funny!
Billie Bolin was the street name and to this day I love it! I showed Jody last time he was here and we had a good laugh together. And no, we're not naming our first kid Billie...definitely not.
Prince Charming's name wasn't Billie, but his last was Bolin and I'm so glad. I can't wait to see him on Friday with all my friends back from life, med school, Kuwait, and all. I'm excited to introduce him again and for the first time to some of the most important people in my life...as my Jody, my fiance.
So here are some pics of my time here in Angelo, in the magical places of my adolescence and adulthood. Places where I rejoiced, lamented, and sought perspective time and time again. I wanted to document this trail that has become so routine and normal in hopes of never forgetting it. Hopefully I'll be able to return to it for a long time...and maybe even take Jody when he arrives. :)
I had the most amazing time with Bonnie (our photographer), Sarah, Amber (Sarah's sister), and my mom at Kairos taking my bridal portraits. 
Seriously, these are some of my favorite people and I can't imagine a more perfect day, minus the fact that it was a little chilly. So cold in fact, that the "freckles" on my skin are actually goose bumps. 
Here's the link to the pics. Happy Viewing and be sure to turn up the volume as the song is amazing and perfect with the first few lines being:
Aspen Mist for the bedroom-soothing, relaxing, and sensual...that's right, I said it. We've waited our whole lives for this beautiful gift from God and we intend to enjoy it the way the good Lord intended it...in the "Aspen Mist".
Give them great (secret for now) names, buy them Chacos, instead of bows and take them hiking. I want them to enjoy playing outside more than tv and organic granola more than pop tarts.
Makes me also think of when I first nested here in Lbk...
I loved college, but have also treasured this time as a "single, working adult". I wouldn't trade a second of it. I love Jody and can't wait to be his wife, but I will ALWAYS treasure the years of roomates, late night chats over cheap pizza and wine, dancing til all hours of the night, and exploring the world around us.
