Where I'm From...

I am from a city whose backbone is made of country music. That contagious music grows into the body of each person within the population of such a lively town. From the old, wooden honkey tonks all around town to the historical elements of the Ryman on Broadway, the city stands tall in its material self. I am from a city that prides themself on the success of hot chicken and old, famous restaurants. These restaurants bring the community together and make each Nashvillian happy to be called such. I am from this growing city that is diverse and unique in all of the best ways. Everyone where I’m from is proud to be from this special place.

A one-story, white ranch style house sits on the greenery of one acre, ten minutes from all of the noise downtown. A clean, quiet stream runs on the left side of the house which brings back memories of my childhood adventures that were created. The driveway holds a weathered, old basketball goal that has too many competitive memories of basketball battles between me and my brother. In the house, a kitchen that produces smells of chicken pot pie on a cold day. This house perfectly encapsulates the childhood that I had in what felt like such a simple place but with such a complex city and world around it.

I am from the eighteen holes that are drawn in nature by golf designers. This special place allows my voice to be heard in a serene environment. I always felt heard whenever I spent time playing golf with my closest friends. I am from the clink, clink, clink of my clubs as I walk down the fairway seeing nothing but green grass ahead. As I walk, I take in the intricate yet beautiful nature around me as I envision my next shot. I am from the conversations about the world’s problems or current events that occur throughout those eighteen holes. I find myself being able to open up to this close group of friends whenever we spend this special time together, and it always brings us closer together. I am from Percy Warner and McCabe, Harpeth Hills and Vinny Links. These are the places that helped grow my love for the game and create the memories that will last a lifetime. I am from the game that some may think is complex but is truly simple. The game where it’s really just you, your friends, your clubs, and nature.

I am from the church that raised me into who I am today, and from the people that encapsulate such a special place. The big white church that holds a beautiful sanctuary, a noisy preschool, old-gymnasium, an open fellowship hall, and so much more; The offerings are endless. Starting off as a toddler and fast-forwarding to working on Senior Sunday shows a timeline of my life here. The red pew cushions, the large organs up front, the old blue Bibles, and the pure, white walls encapsulate the visions of this place. This place is where I truly first felt spoken to by God. When the Christmas service was about to end, we were singing Silent Night outside, and I peered up at the cross on top of the church, and the moonlight was illuminating it. It was almost as if the cross was speaking to me telling me, in the midst of the pandemic, that everything was going to be ok, and that trust in the church is powerful and enlightening. The pieces of life with all of its hard questions just seem to connect for me in this place more than almost anywhere else.

What is better than a conversation that makes you lose track of time. Although you might miss something important during a busy schedule, you will likely not forget the impactful topics that were discussed during the interaction. These talks turn casual friends into lifelong friends, girlfriends into wives, and parents into best friends for kids. Whether it's late at night over a campfire or at any lunch table anywhere around the world, these conversations are what I love to spend my time doing. I cannot remember a time where I could be forced out of a restaurant, truck bed, or open field while having deep talks with my friends. These conversations create a huge part of who I am. I am a curious person who always wants to understand my friends and acquaintances better.

Nothing compares to an event that takes your mind off the problems of the loud, divided world that surrounds us. Maybe, say, it’s a concert. A time where thousands of people come into an enclosed area, put aside all differences, and support the people on stage who spend their lives creating happiness in the lives of people in the form of the universal language, music. I love looking around and seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as they forget about their relationship issues, family dysfunction, or bad day at work. The happiness that is radiated from person to person is contagious and is one of my favorite things. Maybe it’s not a concert, though… Maybe it is a Titans game in Nashville, Tennessee. In November every 4 years, people wear red or blue and pick sides and argue against each other disrespectfully. However, in Nissan Stadium on any Sunday afternoon, everyone wears the same team on their chest. Every person puts aside their differences, comes together as one, and cheers on a common cause. These events make me smile the most because differences and hardship in the world are put to rest, and everyone allows their happiness and love shine through their bodies. I hope the world can find these sources of happiness in all of its aspects.

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