Three hundred and sixty-eight days of friendships, music, and the outdoors

The sun had not yet come up over Tyler, and I set my pair of apartment and mailbox keys on the empty counter, not fully realizing that when I left, I would not be returning. Nothing had really sunk in. I was still half asleep, my car was as packed to the brim as it could be with some essentials, eight paws, and a girl ready for the next big thing.

We drove out of a town that I’d come to know and, eventually, really love for the last two years. To be honest, I was sort of sad I couldn’t see it one last time because it was still dark out. But I kept my foot on the gas and played a podcast to keep the tears back. Normally when I had something to listen to and focus on, it was harder to hear the thoughts in my head.

It was like this for the next, almost, nine hours. I had a few calls with friends, music played, and what felt like an eternity later, the Downton Nashville skyline appeared in the distance. It looked more like a Lego city because I was still so far away, but there was an excitement that came over me knowing I’d made it to my new home. Hopefully a place that would provide some peace and sense of self.

The closer I was getting to my new address, the more nervous I got because it felt like it was sort of in the middle of nowhere. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be, I’m in a city now, there should be shops, houses, and life all over. I pulled into the complex and took the route to my building that I had studied many times on a map that one of the leasing ladies sent me a few weeks prior. I was prepared, I knew where I was going.

After passing over speed bumps, down hills, and curves, we made it. I put the car in park and Lennon and Winston jumped up, eager to probably get out of the car they’d been in for nearly nine hours. I let them relieve themselves, and we walked up to the door of our new home. Left unlocked because we got in later, I pushed the door open and the two of them bolted into the empty space.

It looked nice, had a fresh coat of paint, updated appliances, and was big enough for the three of us. I walked into the kitchen where my new resident packet and set of keys was waiting for me on the counter. They even left a basket with dish soap, toilet paper, body wash for me, and dog treats and a toy for the dogs.

I felt great! There was some intentionality in making sure we felt welcome after our weeklong delayed move, and nine-hour road trip here. I started walking through the apartment and began realizing some stuff that made me less excited. Mainly focused on safety, not having a place to hang a hand towel by my bathroom sink, no medicine cabinet… all the stuff that I saw in a video that was sent to me about a unit I thought I’d be getting. I could feel my anxiety building, the tears forming in my eyes. I sat on my empty living room floor and started crying.

To give context to the overwhelming emotion, my move was delayed five days and there was no set estimated time of arrival for all of my life that was packed away in a truck somewhere in the United States. So with that, plus all the newness to this experience I was having with just my dogs, I started to spiral a little.

I called a friend who, thankfully, answered within a few rings. I told her we’d made it and choking through tears explained all my concerns. She’s a champion of a friend, listened, and helped calm me down enough to not hate the space. I’d only been there maybe an hour, if that, at this point. I know, a little dramatic looking back.

My mom and sister came in later that night and we got to spend time together which helped. But they went back to a hotel to sleep. So, there I was, in my empty apartment with just my dogs, blankets, a pillow, and sleeping bag. We got as comfortable as we could on hardwood floors, and that was our first night in Nashville.

Fast forward six months later and I never would have thought this is where I’d be (this part was written Aug. 13, 2023, so six months into my time in TN). A year ago I was as lost as ever. In other places where I was new, it took at least six months to meet good enough people to form enough trust to want to routinely see them. Maybe part of it was the job, COVID-19 was also a thing, but within days I knew I had people on my side here.

I spent my first week exploring town, getting an early start at learning my commute, checked out what coffee shops and parks would be “my places,” and all the new-to-town stuff. It had been a week of sleeping on hardwood floors, making food in my oven, or eating raw veggies because that’s all we had. I made some fast food outings, but it really made me think about how necessary some things are to everyday life. After a week of this, I went to services and was quickly invited to the cantor’s house the next evening for a young adult night of candle making and drinks. I’d be silly to pass that up. After all, I had no plans. So I went, a little nervous because I knew no one, except the cantor, who I briefly met the night before. This was a perfect example of, you have to be willing to say “yes” to situations.

That night, I met a few new friends and the cantor’s wife offered me their air mattress and a pot and pan so I could cook. She insisted I didn't leave without it. This was the most crucial thing someone could’ve done for me during this time, and they stepped up. To this day they’re some of my favorite people to see after a long week, or out at events in Nashville.

A week ish later, two weeks after I had arrived in town, my life that was packed away on a truck somewhere in the U.S. arrived. Talk about relief. The movers wanted to start but I had this plan to see every item and box that came through my door and check off the number on my list. And it’s a good thing I did because when they said they were done I was still missing a number. After double checking what they’d already brought in, then shuffling through the 18-wheeler I spotted a bright blue box filled with my pots and pans. “That’s mine!” I shouted, and sure enough the box number corresponded with the only number not crossed off on my list.

This is where I’m offering some advice… rent the truck, pack it, and drive it yourself. No cross country moving company is worth it. And icing on the cake, I thought I had everything, and really, I hadn’t noticed anything missing. Then in June I got a message on LinkedIn, of all places, from a woman claiming that her daughter ended up with my bat mitzvah photo album. When I tell you my heart sank. After some very detailed clarifying, because people love to scam these days, it was obvious they had my album. Thank goodness they were Jewish and knew exactly what it was, and thank goodness the mom found me. It’s now back in my possession. Pack and drive your personal belongings yourself.

A week or so after that I met with another group of people to get to know parts of town, over a cup of coffee. This led to an invitation to a birthday party that night, again, not really knowing anyone going into it, I knew it’d be best to check it out. I walked out of their house with a handful of new friends. And these are people that to this day, we check in with each other, we hangout, and support one another however we can. It’s the most beautiful thing, and I really consider myself so blessed to be in the presence of such amazing people.

March was next. This was when I joined a new friend for a walk with a huge group of girls and really enjoyed it. Nashville Girls Who Walk organizes walks at different parks around town for girls of all ages to get moving and socialize. I kept going to their weekend walks and on March 11 met some INCREDIBLE women. After the walk we discussed plans to hangout that evening and all went line dancing. From there, the friendships grew and again, to this day I’ve got people in my corner. We’re from all over, have different music tastes, interests, and ways of life, but we all know and value the importance of friendship. Now we have dinners and brunches, hit the town, have movie nights, all the things you see in the movies with close groups of girls. My time here truly has felt like a movie some days. In mid-March I went to one of my first (documented) writer's rounds, and quickly felt a pull to the talent and words of complete strangers, and those who came out to support.

As time has gone on, my evenings and weekends are filled with sunshine, smiles, love, support, surprises, joy, all the good things. When I need my space, I take it, and feel like it’s okay to do that without much explanation. And while most things have been wonderful, there’s still moments of doubt, confusion, feeling stuck between what I was and who I am. Those moments are tough, but it’s how life goes. I just feel lucky that there’s more good here that outweighs all of the other stuff.

Some moments worth a mention:

In May I got a dining room table. In my other spaces I haven’t had the room with the dog kennels and my desk, so this space really feels complete. And shoutout to good friends who came in clutch with a truck after I found a steal of a table on marketplace!
In mid-May we had a fun celebration for a friend who worked her tail off to get a job. It was a great surprise we pulled off and just another reminder of the friendships I’ve made.
At the end of May, I got to see a country artist perform a private show thanks to another friend being in the right place at the right time.
At the start of June we celebrated the installation of the cantor who’s family saved me when I first got here! Which also allowed me to connect with people from back home who were in town!
Following that, I won tickets, through work, to see a show filled with original music in the middle of the TN woods, and got to have friends from here and home come together for that.
CMA Fest
June 13 white cheddar popcorn returned to TJ’s after a nearly six month hiatus (it was a BIG deal).
July 4, I got to see Ben Rector play in the pouring Nashville rain.

Overall my time has been filled with talented musicians, good food, better people, so much love, and tons of new experiences. To every single person I have met, through whatever avenue, you have made these six months the best in my life. I really thought about that, the best. My life has been filled with lots of good, but I think the way I feel about people and what I get to do here all the time has been something I’ve never had before, and it’s magic.

I have no idea what the next six months, and beyond, will offer, but I do know I have many good reasons to look forward to them. There are still so many places and things I want to try and do, and luckily I’ve got time.

I also owe gratitude to the friends who have stuck with me through this time of transition, who have come to visit, who check in. I’ve got so much to be thankful for and it’s all due to the relationships with really, really wonderful people.

That’s it for now. There’s a chance in another six months there will be another fun recap. Until then, catch me finding company in the chords of a stranger, or soaking in the sweetness of friendships. Much love to Nashville, and the people who make it what it is.

(Written February 7, 2024) Ummm… HELLO! It’s February 7, three days after my one-year anniversary in Nashville, and it has continued to be one of the best years. I ended up not posting the above part at six months because it wasn’t exactly where I wanted it, but I did some small edits and I think it works for this.

Between the New Year, a big trip, turning 27, and celebrating one year in Nashville, I have been in a super reflective headspace. The last six months have consisted of fun, growth, self-realizations, some hurt, and more intentionality.

From September to now I’ve spent a lot of time outside on trails, at concerts, with dogs, with friends, sharing meals, and I feel like I’m constantly meeting new people. I formed stronger friendships through running and am consistently running more miles than I ever thought I could. I accomplished a really big work project, and many small things in between. I traveled to San Francisco for an annual anesthesiology conference. There have been some tough conversations and grappling with so many thoughts following October 7.

When I really sit down to think about all of that, it’s been a mix of emotions these last six months, but I know that I have good people surrounding me and so many options to get out for a breath of fresh air here. There’s truly nowhere else I’d rather be.

Some honorable moments deserving mention:

Nashville Girls Who Walk celebrated one year
Sat in more living rooms and listening rooms and heard music from super talented people
Got to see Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway at Cheekwood with a friend
Celebrated the High Holy Days and had many meaningful moments
I adulted and got my TN license plates (ID was the first half of the year!)
Got to see some mutual friends of ETX friends play a house show here
Checked out so many fun fall spots in and around town
Got to see a band I loved while growing up who hadn't toured in a long time, then stayed up basically the rest of the night at a house party with them playing pickleball, pool, and music
Had Friendsgiving with a great group of people
Saw Brett Eldredge's "Glow" at the Ryman Auditorium

I’m looking forward to the next year and what that’s going to look like personally, physically, mentally, and professionally for me.

I guess if I could say one thing to give to you (especially if you’ve made it this far), it’d be to not get in your own way. If you have the means to try something new, go somewhere, get a fresh start, take a new job, whatever new thing it is, do it. If it means leaving some things, some people behind, that’s okay. If they’re good people, you’ll always be a text, phone call, or FaceTime away. And once you've made that move, put yourself out there. People are kind, and you'll find the good ones!

Thanks for reading, hopefully I’ll have another big post coming soon!

-Erin