This is such an interesting post...and great commentary on how where you have lived has shaped you. I was born and raised in UT and even lived (married) in the same Stake I was raised in. So, for me moving to the East was a huge change in everything I knew. I do enjoy going back, but I feel that I have become a different person out here {for the better} and that when I 'go back' people don't really know me. Does that make sense? One place I would definitely not go back to is my freshman year of college. I think I would vomit in my mouth!
What a great post and I am so excited for you to be able to not only "go back" but to have a girls' weekend. It is hard for me to grasp how many times you have put down roots to turn around and pull them up and do it all over again. I have grown up, gone to college, got married, had my daughter, and live all in a small radius of a couple hundred miles. And although my husband is not from my home town he is from inside that radius. We live less than 150 miles from all our families and see each other often. On one hand I would love the experience of actually "living" another part of the country rather than just visiting there, but on the other hand I can not imagine a change that dramatic in our lives.
I too can relate. I've lived in a quite a few different places... I have been able to "go back" a couple of times... but not to all the places and not nearly enough.
When we left Utah for the first time I sobbed the whole car trip to to our new home in the South... Looking back it was the biggest/greatest growing experience of my life... We've moved several times since then and I keep learning life lessons.
Thanks for your post. It echoed many of my own feelings.
p.s. I do hope to move back to Utah and family someday... :)
good for you! it's fuin to have all the adventures of a new place but it is really hard to say goodbye. we actually were the ones who stayed behind after med school and had to watch everyone leave...it's been a year almost and it's still been really hard not seeing everyone we love!
This is a lovely way to reflect on your return to Utah. Have you ever heard The Smiths' song 'Back to the Old House'? It's quite a mournful song, and in it Morrissey says he DOESN'T want to go back - but I love a certain couple of lines in it, which speak to me about my own feelings on places that I've never returned to but often think of:
'And you never knew how much I really liked you, Because I never even told you. Oh, and I meant to. Are you still there? Or have you moved away?'
Dear oh, dear. You've made me quite sentimental for places I've lived in. I hope you have a really fulfilling time in Utah, Kristi, and take back precious things from it.
We must have lived really close when you were in Nashville....I live right off of Hillsboro Road. We'll have to talk more via email: info@elliebellies.com
I. love. this. post. I have had many of the same experiences of moving and not going back. I have never known what it is like to have a childhood home to return to, old teachers who remember me, etc. etc.
I can't even express how thrilled I am you were able to come back here and reminisce about college days and create even more great memories! I feel so lucky that I was able to experience some of the coming back with you. Hooray!
ps i have a random question, but you seem like the perfect person to ask. do you have any good ideas of something to do for people moving away from the ward?? we have a memorial day BBQ in our ward and are trying to think of something everyone could sign etc for the families who will be leaving at the end of the year?? have you done anything like this?
8:13 PM
Anonymous said...
Hello Kristi,
I don't know if you remember me, I am from Farmington and went to school with Bevan and Ryan. I just happened upon your adorable website a few weeks ago by accident. I have no idea how I found you, you were on the favorites list of a friend's blog. Your name intrigued me, everythingispink. I finally got a beautiful little girl two years ago (remember, I am the one with 10 brothers) and my life is finally turning from blue to pink (yeah!!!) When I clinked on your blog I immediately realized, "This must be a Buchanan", there is no mistaking your cute family. Your dad is one of my favorite people, I sure miss him in the Stake Presidency. His talks were the only ones that kept my attention (HaHa- I am sure it was all the magic tricks he taught us) As I looked further, I realized it was you. We have met a handful of times, I doubt you even remember me, but how could I forget you. You are absolutely amazing. I love all of your cute ideas. I am also a nonsleeper, so I could really relate. One more thing, I was raised in Frederick, MD. I moved to NM when I was a teenager, my dad still lives there. Your photos make me so homesick, that place always felt like home. I loved all the green and all the wonderful people. You have also gotten me aching to visit my Dad just so I can go to the ribbon factory. Who knew?? What a great place! Thank you for your unbelievable blog, I just love seeing my old hometown, seeing all of your adorable projects, and seeing a Buchanan (I sure miss Bevan-he was so much fun)
I have a quick question. I just happened upon your adorable Sassy Sisters Satchel- the pieced bag- and loved it. I know I am a couple years late, but if you still have a pattern handy, would you please e-mail it to me? I would love to make one as a grandparent's bag with old baby clothes. It is such a great idea. I have always loved your bags. I still remember one you made for Natalie Allen for her baby shower. I was pregnant at the time with my son and was as big as a house (I was almost 2 weeks past due). Now do you remember me I remember you fit almost a million diapers in that bag. Too cute!! Thank you so much for your help. Also, if you ever find a Friendly's Restaurant (there used to be one in Frederick, now there is one by Gettysburg and in Ocean City near the state border, please eat a peanut butter cup sundae for me. Their food is alright (diner style), but their ice cream was so yummy. At least it was when I was 8! Funny what we remember from our childhood. We ate there for all of our birthdays, just for the ice cream. Thanks again and have a great day!!
This is a great post Kristi, so interesting. My family moved so many times but the only place I've ever gone back to is Michigan, and even doing that is weird because everything has changed.
I'm so glad you were able to come back to Utah, and especially glad we got to have a Girl's Weekend and that it was our first one!
kristi, what a great post. i think you are wonderful. I think where ever you go, you leave a very big wonderful cheerful impression...and not just in a marathonic way...your smile is contagious and beautifful.
11:38 PM
[Image]the girls "going back" to our ward after a year downtown
GOING BACK
#30 on my 100 list:: I have lived in Montana, New Mexico, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Louisiana, Tennessee and Maryland.
When I went to college in Utah from New Mexico my parents moved a short time later to the top of the state and I have only been back once to the town I grew up in after moving away from there. There is no draw to go back to Las Cruces only to just see where I grew up. I would love to walk in the church I went to my whole growing up years, my first elementary school, Ryan's hill behind our house, drive on the wee way (a dirt road by our first house that I would always say weee when it came to the bump, the road is probably paved by now), my high school, my friend Heather's house. I wonder if it is better to just keep the memory of what it was like in my mind.[Image]that is me with short hair, why didn't i appreciate those legs when i had them
I moved to Utah to go to college. I left for my mission from here, fell in love with my husband from here, stalked him around campus until he proposed to me, made so many life long friends here, started my marriage here, Utah is where I feel I started to discover me. Utah is where I started to learn how to be married. I have been back to Utah a handful of times but always for a wedding or an event and never by myself. I loved my time in Utah.
I served a mission for my church in North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Wyoming. I met amazing people, fell in love with flat lands. I discovered my spiritual side. I have such a tender place in my heart for the people there and the country there. I have never been back. Some day I hope to take my kids to Mt. Rushmore and have them name the presidents and then show them my Christmas card photo (yes can you believe I even sent a ton of Christmas cards on my mission) of me standing in front Mt. Rushmore at age 21. [Image] My husband and I moved to New Orleans. We lived there 4 years. We loved New Orleans. We had our first daughter there, we made awesome couple friends, we counted every penny there, we fell in love with the south. driving out of that town that day we moved was really hard. I really cried. I have never been back. [Image]We moved to Tennessee. We lived there 6 years. we had two more kids there. we confirmed that we do LOVE the south. we had the best neighbors any family could ask for. Jeff got smarter and I discovered that I was creative (who knew) We tested the strength of our marriage there and it held strong. We loved it there. Driving out of town that day was horrible, but I tried to keep it together for Annie Kate,[Image] I will never forget that last drive onto Hillsboro Road. We have been gone 2 years and have not been back.
[Image]We moved to Maryland 2 years ago. We have not wasted anytime diving into this place. We have met some INCREDIBLE people, given pieces of our heart here, discovered our love for history and travel and in 2 years there is a good chance we will move again. We love it here! I don't even want to think about my track record and must come back here.
So recently I told my husband that I feel like I am missing out on "the Going Back" part of life. I have loved every where I have lived and always dive in head first. But I never go back. I never get to come to town and run into friends that knew me when I was younger (this could be a secret blessing) or hear from and adult "I used to babysit you" show my kids this is where you mom went to school. I never get to hear "it has been so long" " we have missed you" " I can't believe you have kids" "You husband has gray hair" I feel like I just love everything about my life but I keep leaving it and don't get to "Go Back" and feel it again. It is started to leave a little hole in me. (thus why seeing terry a few weeks ago was so great for me)
So, when Jill and I were talking this winter about getting together I knew this was my chance to GO BACK! i get to spend the weekend with no kids, just friends. (something I have never done)
When I flew into Utah last night and saw the mountains, I got teary on the plane. I was just so excited to walk the same sidewalks as I did my freshman year and with my freshman roommates too - yea this is going to be fun. Even though I have been back to Utah, still a flood of memories came rushing in from my college life. (my freshman year was one of the best years of my life)
I also realize they don't have billboards on the side of the freeway where we live and I had forgotten about all the billboards on the side of the road on I15. It was great to drive on a freeway with NO TRAFFIC. I loved driving past all the mom and pop restaurants - something they don't really have where I live unless you go into the city. When I was renting my car there was a slew of other women here for women's conference as well and they all just looked like happy go lucky western, Mormon, moms - I can't describe what I mean by that but for myself that description will remind me of what I meant.
So here is to Going Back!
posted by everything pink! at 7:27 AM on May 1, 2008
Untitled
19 Comments -
I can relate. I've lived in a lot of different places, but I rarely "go back." So glad you are able to take some time and go to a place that you love!
9:48 AM
This is such an interesting post...and great commentary on how where you have lived has shaped you. I was born and raised in UT and even lived (married) in the same Stake I was raised in. So, for me moving to the East was a huge change in everything I knew. I do enjoy going back, but I feel that I have become a different person out here {for the better} and that when I 'go back' people don't really know me. Does that make sense? One place I would definitely not go back to is my freshman year of college. I think I would vomit in my mouth!
10:26 AM
Here's to you and "going back" Kristi. I hope you have a fabulous weekend and it's all you remember and then some.
12:22 PM
What a great post and I am so excited for you to be able to not only "go back" but to have a girls' weekend. It is hard for me to grasp how many times you have put down roots to turn around and pull them up and do it all over again. I have grown up, gone to college, got married, had my daughter, and live all in a small radius of a couple hundred miles. And although my husband is not from my home town he is from inside that radius. We live less than 150 miles from all our families and see each other often. On one hand I would love the experience of actually "living" another part of the country rather than just visiting there, but on the other hand I can not imagine a change that dramatic in our lives.
12:29 PM
call me!!!! great post kristi!
3:14 PM
What a well thought out post. Welcome to Utah! Hope you check everything off of your list of things to do! Especially the big pink frosted cookie one!
4:41 PM
That's so great you get to come out to UT--I hope your going back is fun and amazing!!
4:51 PM
Here's to going back! Can't wait to see you!
12:20 AM
Fun! I'm from ND, glad you didn't hate us. ;)
9:50 AM
I hope that this trip is everything you hoped it would be!
Fun photo of you guys freshman year!
5:50 PM
I too can relate. I've lived in a quite a few different places... I have been able to "go back" a couple of times... but not to all the places and not nearly enough.
When we left Utah for the first time I sobbed the whole car trip to to our new home in the South... Looking back it was the biggest/greatest growing experience of my life... We've moved several times since then and I keep learning life lessons.
Thanks for your post. It echoed many of my own feelings.
p.s. I do hope to move back to Utah and family someday... :)
11:24 PM
good for you! it's fuin to have all the adventures of a new place but it is really hard to say goodbye. we actually were the ones who stayed behind after med school and had to watch everyone leave...it's been a year almost and it's still been really hard not seeing everyone we love!
6:50 AM
This is a lovely way to reflect on your return to Utah. Have you ever heard The Smiths' song 'Back to the Old House'? It's quite a mournful song, and in it Morrissey says he DOESN'T want to go back - but I love a certain couple of lines in it, which speak to me about my own feelings on places that I've never returned to but often think of:
'And you never knew how much I really liked you,
Because I never even told you.
Oh, and I meant to.
Are you still there?
Or have you moved away?'
Dear oh, dear. You've made me quite sentimental for places I've lived in. I hope you have a really fulfilling time in Utah, Kristi, and take back precious things from it.
3:51 PM
We must have lived really close when you were in Nashville....I live right off of Hillsboro Road. We'll have to talk more via email: info@elliebellies.com
8:41 AM
I. love. this. post. I have had many of the same experiences of moving and not going back. I have never known what it is like to have a childhood home to return to, old teachers who remember me, etc. etc.
I can't even express how thrilled I am you were able to come back here and reminisce about college days and create even more great memories! I feel so lucky that I was able to experience some of the coming back with you. Hooray!
6:31 PM
ps
i have a random question, but you seem like the perfect person to ask. do you have any good ideas of something to do for people moving away from the ward?? we have a memorial day BBQ in our ward and are trying to think of something everyone could sign etc for the families who will be leaving at the end of the year?? have you done anything like this?
8:13 PM
Hello Kristi,
I don't know if you remember me, I am from Farmington and went to school with Bevan and Ryan. I just happened upon your adorable website a few weeks ago by accident. I have no idea how I found you, you were on the favorites list of a friend's blog. Your name intrigued me, everythingispink. I finally got a beautiful little girl two years ago (remember, I am the one with 10 brothers) and my life is finally turning from blue to pink (yeah!!!) When I clinked on your blog I immediately realized, "This must be a Buchanan", there is no mistaking your cute family. Your dad is one of my favorite people, I sure miss him in the Stake Presidency. His talks were the only ones that kept my attention (HaHa- I am sure it was all the magic tricks he taught us) As I looked further, I realized it was you. We have met a handful of times, I doubt you even remember me, but how could I forget you. You are absolutely amazing. I love all of your cute ideas. I am also a nonsleeper, so I could really relate. One more thing, I was raised in Frederick, MD. I moved to NM when I was a teenager, my dad still lives there. Your photos make me so homesick, that place always felt like home. I loved all the green and all the wonderful people. You have also gotten me aching to visit my Dad just so I can go to the ribbon factory. Who knew?? What a great place! Thank you for your unbelievable blog, I just love seeing my old hometown, seeing all of your adorable projects, and seeing a Buchanan (I sure miss Bevan-he was so much fun)
I have a quick question. I just happened upon your adorable Sassy Sisters Satchel- the pieced bag- and loved it. I know I am a couple years late, but if you still have a pattern handy, would you please e-mail it to me? I would love to make one as a grandparent's bag with old baby clothes. It is such a great idea. I have always loved your bags. I still remember one you made for Natalie Allen for her baby shower. I was pregnant at the time with my son and was as big as a house (I was almost 2 weeks past due). Now do you remember me I remember you fit almost a million diapers in that bag. Too cute!! Thank you so much for your help. Also, if you ever find a Friendly's Restaurant (there used to be one in Frederick, now there is one by Gettysburg and in Ocean City near the state border, please eat a peanut butter cup sundae for me. Their food is alright (diner style), but their ice cream was so yummy. At least it was when I was 8! Funny what we remember from our childhood. We ate there for all of our birthdays, just for the ice cream. Thanks again and have a great day!!
Sincerely,
Keely (Smith) Farley
tomandkeely@hotmail.com
9:21 AM
This is a great post Kristi, so interesting. My family moved so many times but the only place I've ever gone back to is Michigan, and even doing that is weird because everything has changed.
I'm so glad you were able to come back to Utah, and especially glad we got to have a Girl's Weekend and that it was our first one!
4:23 PM
kristi, what a great post. i think you are wonderful. I think where ever you go, you leave a very big wonderful cheerful impression...and not just in a marathonic way...your smile is contagious and beautifful.
11:38 PM