Fish out of Water: My Ten Year Arizona Anniversary

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In 2006, my now husband wanted to move back to his hometown of Scottsdale. I was fresh out of college, had never lived outside of Florida, and thought-hey, that sounds fun! Well, the jokes on me-we just passed our ten year Arizona anniversary! I still remember pulling off the 101 as if it was yesterday. I also remember thinking-it’s so.brown.and.dusty.

Growing up on the water in South Florida provided such a unique opportunity to see the ocean most days of my younger life. I realize now what an amazing childhood I had with beaches, boats, palm trees, and that intoxicating scent of ocean air. Now that I am a mother, I have to admit many times I feel guilt that my daughter is not having that same experience. Don’t get me wrong-Arizona has been so very good to us. This is a beautiful state, with so much nature to give. We live in a flourishing city, nestled in a valley of cacti and desert blooms. Our city literally was named the best city to raise children. But for this beach babe, sometimes it’s just not enough.

The ocean is my happy place. I’m sure you’ve heard that before and are thinking, yeah yeah yeah. But many many times in my adolescence, the waves cured me. I do feel in my heart that this Arizona life is exactly where we need to be right now. But the ocean calls, and my husband and I both know we will get there one day. For now, we soak up this dry heat, live for pool days & staycations, and get out to both the Atlantic and the Pacific when we can. My daughter is a mermaid. The ocean is in her blood, and she soaks it all in when we do visit. I’m grateful for every second we have toes in the sand, but I also look out over Camelback mountain with awe and affection. What a fantastic opportunity to have lived in such diverse places in my life, right? Happy Ten Year Arizona Living to us! How long have you lived here, EVMB readers?

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