“I’m most interested in building a life that balances both: one in which roots don’t restrain; they stabilize.” These might be the words I’ve been in search of for a very long time. Enjoyed reading this so much.
Great piece! Loved the term “desire paths.” And the idea of changing your identity to make it easier on others — and the consequence of that — is really nuanced and interesting.
This is such a lovely story. I am from California and fell in love with Nashville because it felt so diverse, creative, and warm. People on the West Coast often get it backwards, asking me how it is to live in such a "white" place to which I always have to correct them. Thank you for the inspiring story and I am so glad you found your way back to Nashville, at least for now!
"Diverse, creative, and warm." 🥲 It's really lovely to have that vision of Nashville (and the South) affirmed and reflected back, because it's how I experience the city and my community here too. Thanks for sharing this! Glad to be back. 🤠
I love your story, Lane. Thanks for showing appreciation for the South and where you come from. I was born and raised in Atlanta to an Asian family, and for a long time, felt no roots here, until it became clear that the South was the center for my family. It becomes a part of you, warts and all! Let's make the South the place we want to see it as. <3
Thanks for reading and sharing this reflection, Renee! I loved it. Exactly, the South is made up of the people who live here. Glad to be in such good company. 💞
I realized when reading your essay that I do this as well re. My hometown of Philadelphia. Now I say I’m from San Diego since it’s the last place I’ve lived and I don’t want to be asked about cheesesteaks and rude football fans.
Thalia taught me the term “desire paths” a few months ago (I forget where she picked it up) and I thought it was so cool. What a beautiful descriptor! I loved seeing it surface here.
“I’m most interested in building a life that balances both: one in which roots don’t restrain; they stabilize.” These might be the words I’ve been in search of for a very long time. Enjoyed reading this so much.
Lori, thank you! So happy these words resonated with you. Before they hit me, I think I’d been looking for the same idea for a long time too. 💗
Great piece! Loved the term “desire paths.” And the idea of changing your identity to make it easier on others — and the consequence of that — is really nuanced and interesting.
Thank you, Amy! I spent many hours down the "desire path" Wikipedia rabbit hole after learning that term and now I notice them everywhere.
This is such a lovely story. I am from California and fell in love with Nashville because it felt so diverse, creative, and warm. People on the West Coast often get it backwards, asking me how it is to live in such a "white" place to which I always have to correct them. Thank you for the inspiring story and I am so glad you found your way back to Nashville, at least for now!
"Diverse, creative, and warm." 🥲 It's really lovely to have that vision of Nashville (and the South) affirmed and reflected back, because it's how I experience the city and my community here too. Thanks for sharing this! Glad to be back. 🤠
I love your story, Lane. Thanks for showing appreciation for the South and where you come from. I was born and raised in Atlanta to an Asian family, and for a long time, felt no roots here, until it became clear that the South was the center for my family. It becomes a part of you, warts and all! Let's make the South the place we want to see it as. <3
Thanks for reading and sharing this reflection, Renee! I loved it. Exactly, the South is made up of the people who live here. Glad to be in such good company. 💞
Great story. Thanks for sharing. And welcome home!
Glad to be here! 🤠
❤️❤️❤️
Are you in Nash? We are birthdaying this weekend.
You know I’ll be there! Party of the century.
I realized when reading your essay that I do this as well re. My hometown of Philadelphia. Now I say I’m from San Diego since it’s the last place I’ve lived and I don’t want to be asked about cheesesteaks and rude football fans.
Okay, so not just a Southern thing! Maybe also a hometown thing.
Thalia taught me the term “desire paths” a few months ago (I forget where she picked it up) and I thought it was so cool. What a beautiful descriptor! I loved seeing it surface here.
I love when you find out there's an official name for something you've seen *everywhere* like that. Highly satisfying!