A Love Letter to Austin, Texas

This summer was the one that I fell in love with Austin, Texas. It wasn’t my first time here or the first time I had the opportunity to experience it - I had all of last summer for that. But the summer of 2017 was the first time I truly experienced and found the charm in the city of Austin.

To be completely honest, I spent all of last summer a little upset that I was forced to live here. I didn’t get to actually say goodbye to my Colorado home and the people still there, and I had no idea what I was supposed to do in Austin, Texas. My first and only time here was for less than 24 hours over Easter weekend just a few months before actually moving here.

Coming into this summer, I decided to make the most of the fact that I still didn’t really know anybody, and I didn’t have the friends I know and love in Colorado and Oklahoma around me. 

Fast forward to the end of the summer and this is what I feel:

I can’t help but think about the gratitude I feel for the amazing people and places in this town. I always say, ‘I love living in Austin, Texas’, but the truth is, it all comes down to the people you’re with and the community you have around you.

I had some amazing opportunities this summer that all added up to be something amazing and exciting. I was able to meet a fun and entertaining group of swim instructors who made every afternoon worth looking forward to. I was able to learn, work and experience the world of event planning from the small team at Bounce, where I gained knowledge that is irreplaceable and experiences that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I was able to dance on a bike every weekend with the community of inspiring and amazing individuals at SoulCycle DOMN. 

So I say, to the breakfast tacos, the hot and humid weather, the beautiful city skyline, Amy’s Ice Creams, the busy highways, Austin Java lattes, Jo’s iced turbos, the view from the first street bridge - thank you. Thank you for allowing me to see the beauty of the city around me while experiencing it with new friends and my beautiful family. 

Never in a million years did I think I would live in Austin, Texas. Ask the Emily Taylor three years ago if she knows what the capital of Texas is, she would have no clue. When I was told my family was moving to Austin, I was upset I would have to leave Colorado. But now, I’m grateful I’m able to build a life in Austin while also getting to have the friends and memories I do from Colorado, while also having the life I do in Norman. 

All of this to say, I love the little life I have here in Austin and the time I get to spend here every summer.