Thank you, Carol Williams and Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, for hosting the Active Rain April Challenge, I’ve already loved reading everyone’s stories about the places they call home. Here’s mine… and why I wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else.
I wasn’t born in Austin, I found it. Or maybe it found me.
I grew up in upstate New York, where winters were long and snowy, filled with skiing, ice skating, building forts, and epic snowball fights with my siblings. Spring always felt like a reward, and summer? Well, it was beautiful… but fleeting.
College took me to the Midwest, where I followed in my parents’ footsteps. After graduation, I married a Navy pilot, and we began a journey that had us moving from place to place during his training and service. Eventually, we returned to the Midwest, started a concrete business, and then, thanks to a few specialty jobs in the early 80s, we landed in Austin, the capital of Texas.
And just like that… I fell in love.
There’s something magical about this city. The moment I experienced Lake Travis, Barton Springs and Lady Bird Lake winding their way through the heart of town, I knew this place was different. Add in the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, the warm sunshine, and a community filled with kind, welcoming people, and I knew I was home.
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And then there’s the unmistakable spirit of Austin, perfectly captured in the slogan “Keep Austin Weird.” It’s more than just a catchy phrase; it’s a way of life. It’s what gives Austin its creative, free-spirited vibe and makes it feel just a little different, in the best possible way. From local music and art to the unique small businesses and vibrant personalities, there’s an authenticity here that invites everyone to simply be themselves. Just look at how we Bat watch under the Congress Ave bridge! We revel when our UT Tower lights up when our UT teams win! That “weirdness” adds color to everyday life and is part of what makes this city not just a place to live, but a place to truly belong.
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After my divorce in the early 1990s, life brought me an unexpected and incredible gift, I met my soulmate, Geno, a true Austin native. With him came a whole new layer of love, strength, and connection that forever changed our family. Geno was fiercely loyal, not just to me, but to my children and, later, our grandchildren. He loved deeply, protected fiercely, and showed up every single day with a steady presence that made us all feel safe and cherished. Because of him, our lives weren’t just full… they were richer, deeper, and more meaningful. Austin may be where my story unfolded, but Geno is a big part of why it became so beautiful.
Sports, activities, and togetherness are woven into everyday life. From youth leagues to adult teams, from boating and wakeboarding to picnics and concerts, there’s always something happening. Holiday weekends like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day turn into celebrations filled with BBQs, laughter, music, and time spent with the people who matter most.
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Professionally, Austin has been just as rewarding. I built my real estate career here starting in the early 1990s, and I truly can’t imagine a better place to have grown a thriving business. This city has not only supported my career, it also shaped it.
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But more than anything, Austin gave me the gift of family. My children were young when we moved here, and they grew up surrounded by strong friendships and a sense of community that still exists today. Now, they’ve built their own lives here. My daughter and husband raised their family, and my son and wife is raising their children in the same city that gave us so much.
Being close to my family, watching my grandchildren grow, continuing a career I love, and sharing life with lifelong friends… that’s what makes this place so special.
Austin has changed a lot since the early 80s, but my love for it hasn’t.
Because sometimes, “home” isn’t where you start… it’s where your heart decides to stay. 💙
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