Texas Forever

I have been pondering deeply lately. Maybe not about the important things—the meaning of life, my career, the future of our family. But pondering about good friends, happy times and how the two blend to create real-life Texas Forever* moments.

The problem is it’s so hard to realize you’re having one of those “this is real life” moments while it’s happening. Like the moments where Brett and I wander around our neighborhood in the dark, looking at stars and pretending we know what and where the constellations are (okay, I’m pretending—he might actually know. He’s always like, “there’s Ursa Major” and I’m like, “totally, and there’s Dracula’s nephew!”) 

Part of my pondering has been about moments. I’m not a photographer or artist, or even a very consistent writer or blogger so I have a hard time capturing moments. Sometimes to capture the moment in my mind, I say to Brett: “Isn’t it weird? This is real life.” 

It’s my way of making myself focus on the truth that this is my life. It’s not where I thought I’d be at 24. It’s not glamorous or lucrative. But it is rich and it is real. I don’t have life-changing montages set to indie music, but Texas Forever moments happen standing in a friends’ garage while it down pours on our fire pit; Mike standing in the rain roasting marshmallows for the rest of us, while Brett holds a kiddie pool above them for protection. Or they happen at the softball diamonds between stuffing mouths with sunflower seeds and watching kids with dirty feet. 

Each moment, both beautiful and fleeting, has the makings to be worth raising a glass, toasting Texas Forever.

What are your Texas Forever moments?

*Texas Forever comes from the NBC show Friday Night Lights. It's the moment where you toast to life, love, and living large.