Celebrating 20 years a Texan

 A milestone snuck past me last fall. I have been a resident of Texas for 20 years.

That’s one third of my life. I guess it’s finally time to stop thinking of myself as a Texas newbie.

As improbable as it was for me to move to Texas, it seems even more unlikely that I would ever leave (knock on wood). I wasn’t born in Texas. I was dragged here kicking and screaming. I’m a Colorado native and have lived there for a combined 32 years. I grew up loathing all things Texas.

That Texas braggadocio may play well in the Lone Star state, but it hits a sour note in the other 49, which I’ve come to understand is the whole point. After I graduated from college, I moved to Minnesota for two years and North Carolina for seven before returning to Colorado for nine years. Not only wasn’t Texas on my radar of places to live, it was in my forbidden zone – one of the places I swore I’d never move to.

It wasn’t until things went really bad for me in Colorado that the Houston native I married was able to nudge me toward a job in Amarillo. We moved there at the end of 2005 and spent the next three years longing to go back to Colorado. Fortunately, God had other plans for us.

In December of 2008 we moved into Sandy’s grandfather’s house in Rosenberg and stayed there for 10 years. We later bought a house on the outskirts of town but then fell in love with Aggieland and moved here in 2023.

In the 20 years that we have lived here I have gone from disliking Texas to accepting it and now fully embracing it. I’ve become a bonified barbecue eatin’, Buc-ee’s lovin’, HEB shoppin’, Whataburger and Blue Bell proud Texan. I’d throw in Dr Pepper, but I ditched soft drinks in 2016. That being said, it is my favorite Coke.

My relationship with Texas has been reciprocal. It seems the more I give the more Texas gives back. We have always been active in the churches we’ve belong to. It doesn’t matter where we live, God’s people are the best but there is something special about the ones in Texas.

Since moving to South Texas, I’ve become a member of the Brazos Bend State Park Volunteer Organization where I’ve been able to assist visitors and hold snakes and baby alligators for people to touch. I’ve been credentialled to photograph professional football and baseball from the sidelines. I’ve covered launches and landings of the space shuttle from NASA. I’ve flown in vintage aircraft. I’ve met countless celebrities, athletes, and politicians.

In the Boy Scouts, Sandy and I both completed Wood Badge training and raised two Eagle Scouts. In 2023, as we were wrapping up our decades of involvement with the Boy Scouts, Sandy was honored as a Yellow Rose of Texas. Last year I was knighted a Knight of Texas for my work with the Texas Army. Those are huge honors, and we are grateful and don’t take them lightly.

My interest in Texas really took hold when I discovered the world of historical reenacting. I started following the Texas Army and other reenactment/living history groups to different events related to the Texas Revolution. I was recruited to join the Texas Army in 2018 and am now on the command staff as the communications officer.

My interest in history led me to do some genealogical research that ultimately led to me becoming a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of the Republic of Texas. I’m now the historian for the William Joel Bryan Chapter No.14 of the Sons of the Republic of Texas.

I know this sounds like I’m bragging (and maybe I am), but the thing is, Texas took in a reluctant resident and granted him friendship and kinship. We’ve had opportunities in Texas that we never would have had anywhere else. I am proud and grateful to be able to call this great state my home.

Those first 20 years went by fast. I just hope the next 20 slow down a bit so I can savor and enjoy every moment I get to spend as a Texan. And if all y’all think I’m just blowing smoke up your backside, well, bless your heart!