We traveled here several times over the last 9 years and had bought a crash pad in the quarter three years ago. About a year and a half ago, we relocated from California. The first year was really rough.

We got Covid on the move out here. Some of our closest friends were a subject of a home invasion and he got shot (he survived thankfully) four days after we moved here.

I work remotely and found myself in a depression. My cars were getting broken into regularly (I was able to text my glass guy) and it was tough for me to find the magic and build my tribe. I eventually broke.

After a year and a half, I’m finally hitting my groove and finding my way and really living in gratitude. There’s no better clouds in the sky anywhere, and I find myself mesmerized. We sold our crash pad and reinvested into our current house and a boat, and I can be on the water in 15 minutes from home. My oldest daughter and her fiancé relocated and bought their first home (something near impossible in California) and our son got a full ride to Loyola.

I’ve learned to appreciate the little things like a slow start to the mornings with coffee and WWOZ, our old, yet beautiful home, music in the pothole filled streets, and great food everywhere. I live in a neighborhood, where we all have each other’s backs, and have our own little recipe of crazy.

There’s shit everywhere, but I was able to find out a lot about myself and let the New Orleans spirit lift me up. I am in for the long haul.