Hello dear friends and family! I know it has been almost a year since I have updated our blog, but something inside of me has prompted to start writing again.
Since this is my first blog back, I would like to tell everyone how proud I am to be an Oklahoman, or "Okie"!!! To be honest, in my adolsecence, these are words that I never thought I would utter.
Throughout the majority of my childhood and adolscence I lived in the suburbs of larger cities, such as St. Louis, Houston and Atlanta. You can imagine my enthusiasm at the tempermental age of 13, almost 14, when my parents told me we were moving from Houston to the much smaller town of Edmond, OK. Let's just say that I was not the happiest teenager for a while until I made some great friends in school. However, I still missed everything that Oklahoma seemed to be missing and that other places had.
In high school I thought that I would be heading to an out of state college as soon as my diploma hit my hand. However, God had different plans for me. I was in a relationship with a wonderful young man (now my hubbie Michael) and the thought of being too far away from him broke my heart. Plus Oklahoma State University had offered me a partial scholarship, which meant more opportunities for fun college kid things such as spring break trips. From Stillwater I then moved to Tulsa after graduation. My Opa was very sick with cancer and I just felt the need to be near by him and my Oma. When I became engaged to my husband Michael I then moved to Oklahoma City to move in with him and begin graduate school.
Fast forward to 2010, and Michael and I, along with our 2 pugs, Oscar and Leo, still live in Oklahoma City. I could not be happier to live in this city as I am right now. I have seen this city and community grow and change over the past 17 years, and I am amazed. "The City" now has worlds more to offer than it did when I first moved here. Outstanding restaurants, eateries, stores, events and sports are just the tip of the iceberg. What I do love most about this place is the COMMUNITY. To me Oklahomans are so increibly respectful and kind to one another. I sincerely cannot think of a friendlier place to live (however I am biased, of course!). All of these feelings of pride that I have for our city came to a head when I was visiting with my Uncle Mark and my father when they came to Tulsa a few weeks ago. My Uncle Mark could not shut me up with all of my talk about how awesome OKC is and how much is has to offer the community and its visitors.
The following week was the 15th anniversary of the Murrah Building bombing. Such a tragic event, but the recovery is also proof of how Oklahomans "Rise Together". I was also going to be participating in the 10th OKC Memorial 5K. Then Michael and I were fortunate enough to get tickets to the first ever NBA Playoffs game in OKC of our Thunder vs. the LA Lakers. As the game unfolded and when the OKC Thunder won, the crowd was unbelievable. Almost every person was in Thunder Blue and the cheering was nothing like I had ever experienced. Once the victory had been clenched, I looked around the Ford Center and got chills. I thought "this is my city and I am so proud ot be a part of this".
The Thunder were unforunately defeated by the Lakers yesterday evening, but I heard from those that were at the game that our team received a 5 minute standing ovation after the game. With all of these events, my pride was bursting and I felt it was appropriate to show it! I <3 OKC and I can officially say I am proud to be an OKie! Have lovely weekend everyone...THUNDER UP!
Cheers,
Allison
Michael & I at the the first NBA Playoffs game in OKC. Go Thunder!
OKC Thunder vs. LA Lakers: NBA Playoffs
One of the most amazing and peaceful places in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Memorial in the Autumn of 2009.
