If I'm being honest then I have to say that I was a bit apprehensive about moving to Lubbock when Bill and I first got married. I may or may not have cried like a baby shed a few tears while making the drive to our new home after our wedding and honeymoon. I had no idea what this West Texas town had in store for me. Almost two and a half years later, I can confidently say that I’ve grown to have a sincere appreciation for this windy city. It’s been the perfect place for Bill and me to call home during this time in our lives, and we've made friends and memories here that will last a lifetime. As we prepare for our move to Waco in just a couple weeks, I've been reflecting more on the reasons why I’ve grown to love Lubbock. So without further ado, these are the reasons why Lubbock, or what Bill likes to call "God's country," is so great.
1. The weather.
Yes, Lubbock is windy and dusty too much of the time. That part I am not a fan of. However, there is a saving grace. I love that Lubbock offers a break from the insane humidity and summer heat that I grew up experiencing in central Texas. The humidity here is extremely low and it typically cools off in the summer evenings which makes going for an evening walk or enjoying dinner outside rather pleasant. I especially love the winters here because while not unbearably cold, it still gets cold enough for snow and cozy fires.
2. The beautiful sunsets.
I think Lubbock makes up for what it’s lacking in trees and hills with the gorgeous sunsets. Something about the flatness of Lubbock enhances the beauty of sunsets because you see them so fully.
3. The people.
This could just be what is so great about Texas in general, and Lubbock is no exception. The friendliness and hospitality of almost everyone I’ve met since moving here has been remarkable. I’ve been extremely blessed to have made friends here that, as I mentioned before, will last a lifetime.
4. The fact that Bill’s parents live here.
I can’t explain what a huge blessing it’s been to have Bill’s parents, Tom and Lori, live just a few minutes from us. They have embraced me and made me feel right at home since day one. It's also comforting to know that they are close by in case we ever need anything. I’ll never forget the day Scarlett had her seizure. I couldn’t get in touch with Bill because he was in a surgery, so both Tom and Lori came over within minutes to help calm me down and deal with the situation. I could not have handled everything without them! Bill and I love our Sunday night ritual of going over to their house for pizza on the patio, and we also love going on double dates with the two of them. They seriously are so sweet and fun to be around, and I’m thankful to have each of them in my life!
5. Proximity to the mountains.
Lubbock is 4 hours from Ruidosa, less than 5 hours from Santa Fe, and it’s about an 8 hour drive to the McCunniff family cabin in Colorado. I grew up going to Colorado every summer with my family, and that gruesome drive took approx. 16 hours. Not fun! 5-7 hours is much more doable, and Bill and I have immensely enjoyed several trips to the mountains since we’ve been married.
6. The good eats.
I love a good meal, and we’ve been lucky enough to find several places where we can get just that. Some of my favorite local restaurants include Las Brisas Southwest Steakhouse, Chimy’s (best margaritas in town!), Orlando’s, Cap Rock Café, Blue Sky Burger, Home Café, Triple J. Chophouse, and the list goes on. I'm sure I will get cravings for some of these restaurants when I am gone!
7. Vintage Township neighborhood (check it out here)
While Bill and I do not live in this neighborhood, we love driving through this family-oriented, picturesque neighborhood that makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time or simply stepped on set of The Truman Show. We like to admire all the adorable houses and talk about how much fun it will be to have family and maybe live in a similar area one day. This neighborhood also boasts the best Christmas lights in Lubbock!
8. Our Church.
Bill and I spent a couple months "church-hopping" when we were first married, and we’ve been thrilled with Victory Life, the church we ultimately decided upon. The worship is wonderful week in and week out, and the sermons are always thought-provoking, encouraging, and challenging. We also joined a Sunday school class, and we've loved getting to know the other couples in our class.
9. Our home.
I love our little house… all 1200 square feet of it. It’s little, but it’s got everything we need. I know I will one day miss this cozy house we’ve been fortunate enough to call our first home. Yes, our second bathroom doubles as our laundry room and our kitchen has appliances that date back to who knows when, but it’s all functional, and it's really worked well for us. Bill painted a beautiful picture of our first house for my wedding gift, and I know it’s something I will always cherish. We have made some of our best married memories in this house!
10. The fun things to do.
Whether taking in a Moonlight Musical at Mackenzie Park, hiking the nearby Palo Duro Canyon, tasting wines at CapRock Winery, exploring Lubbock’s pumpkin patch and corn maize in the fall, eating a turkey leg or corn dog at the Lubbock fair, watching a movie at the drive-in, or going to a Tech/Baylor game, we’ve always found plenty of fun activities to fill up our free time. Some of our best times have also been spent at home grilling out and spending time with friends and family!
Yes, I must say that Lubbock has proven me wrong in many ways. It’s been far better than I ever expected, and I know I will always cherish the unique times we’ve been fortunate to spend in “God’s country.” In thinking about our move, I am reminded of the Trace Adkins song that says the following:
You’re gonna miss this
You’re gonna want this back
You’re gonna wish these days
Hadn’t gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you’re gonna miss this
That song couldn’t have said it any better. While I am excited to start a new chapter in our lives, I know I’m going to look back and miss the place where we’ve made so many wonderful memories as newlyweds. Thank you Lubbock for being so good to me. You truly are loved and appreciated!
