Dear Future Self,

There will come a time--probably in the not-so-distant future--that you will begin to take things for granted in your not-so-new home. When you do, read this.

Remember that first morning walk you took in your new neighborhood. The appreciation you felt for an actual walkway along the Tennessee River just a block away from your house, the crisp, non-sweltering Tennessee morning air, Lucie in the jogging stroller...and then the sites around you...

You might now find this hard to believe, but this gave you goosebumps. The awe that this was what you were seeing on a morning walk was pretty incredible. The thought that this could be the site of some of Ben's first memories was exciting. The realization that this is a place that will become home set in...and although it was bittersweet, it was starting to get a little sweeter.

Remember, too, the joy of seeing this new place through your loved ones' eyes: Ben seeing mountains for the first time and exclaiming "This is awesome!" and Brad setting up his new office and catching him with smiling eyes as we drove past Neyland Stadium on a daily basis. Possibly, for the first time, you truly felt what it was like to put your family first and started to put down some roots.

Nothing can fill the void of missing Orlando and all your friends there, but I know that you won't have a problem remembering them because I know they will always be a big part of your life. I just didn't want you to forget the first feelings of your new friend...Knoxville.

Love,

Today's Nicki