My Public Service Announcement for Ann Arbor

Our town is filled with the signs of the college students’ impending arrival. The local stores have marked down futons, mini-fridges and coffee pots. The sport’s section ponders the football team’s upcoming season. The marching band’s practice schedule is posted on our calendar. It’s crazy to think that 15 years ago I was among the throng of freshman venturing to Ann Arbor for the first time. With my grandpa’s blue pick-up loaded with college supplies, my mom and I drove the 80 minutes from our small town to my future. In the next four years, I would build upon my passions for education and social justice, meet my best friends, become acquainted with my future husband and have an amazing time being a Wolverine.

(moving in, fall 1995)

Since that fall, I’ve left Ann Arbor twice and returned for the third time last summer. Each move back has come at another key moment in my adult life. Jose and I started our married life here. We bought our first (and only) house here.

(the night we decided this was "the" house)

Even when we lived in Dallas, we felt the pull of this Michigan town. There is something about the place that is so us. So, when the opportunity arose that allowed us the chance to move back, we took it. And began our lives as parents here.

Turo doesn’t recognize the golden arches, but he can point out the Michigan “M” on cups, shirts, buildings, hats and a certain stadium. He can sing the Victors and knows the proper way to say “Go Blue.” When we go out in the community, he sees a diversity of people and is likely to hear a variety of languages. Turo has attended a pow-wow, a carillon concert and a three week long outdoor music festival. He has cheered at hockey, baseball and women’s basketball games. We are frequent visitors to farmer’s market and the children’s museum. Our college town has a feel of a much larger city without the hassle that often goes with urban life.

Can you tell I'm happy we moved back?

Turo will probably become a Buckeye.