Contributed by Danielle Foster
part of our Texas blog series
As the old saying goes, “there’s no place like home” has certainly proved true in my life. Whether it be the view of the familiar Dallas skyline or gastro-craving for the world’s best barbeque and Tex Mex, I genuinely believe there’s no place on earth like the great state of Texas.
Growing up, I lived a pretty sheltered life in a small rural suburb south of Dallas, but that all changed in middle school. My family moved to University Park, a sophisticated, upscale community near downtown Dallas with one of the highest-rated school districts in the country. At first, I had a little culture shock adjusting to the competitive school, new friends, and city bustle. But the explorer in me soon fell in love with all of the newfound opportunities! Dallas opened up a world of major league sporting events, world-class museums, Michelin Star restaurants, expansive malls with luxury designer shopping, massive cineplexes, and vibrant nightlife. What more could any girl want? Well, perhaps travel and new experiences!
Even as a child, I always had a robust curiosity and passion for traveling to new places. And now, having D-FW International and Dallas Love Field in my backyard made it trouble-free! Throughout high school, I dreamed of leaving home for college in Santa Barbara, CA. But after being in California away from my comfort zone, something was missing. I missed my family and longed to go home to Texas. I relished the semester breaks, spending every holiday and summer back in Dallas.
During my last year at the University of California in Santa Barbara, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain. From Spain, I traveled all over Europe and experienced many different languages, cultures, and cities. Yet, even on the other side of the pond, far from home, my Texas roots grew stronger! Whenever I met a fellow Texan, there was always an unspoken bond and kinship that the Europeans could not match and did not quite understand. It’s an immediate connection and spontaneous friendship with a proud Texan denominator. The friendships and memories I made while traveling will last a lifetime, but meeting other Texans during my travels made me homesick all the more. I ached to see the blue skies of Texas and sit down to good old southern hospitality.
It's official. I'm a Texan to the bone, heart, and soul. No matter where my future self takes me, I know my heart will always remain firmly planted in Texas. There truly is no place on earth like my Texas home!
A few years after graduating, I left Texas again to study Gemology at the Gemological Institute of America in New York City. No offense to old blue eyes, but I discovered that ‘the city that never sleeps’ was more about street noise than nightlife! Although I always dreamed of living in New York, my inner-self knew that Texas was just over the horizon. Even the grandeur of the New York cityscape could not compete with Texas’s fresh air and wide-open spaces.
After graduating from G.I.A. and working in the diamond district, I landed my dream job in Dallas! So I packed my bags and couldn’t wait to turn up my heels and head south! Leaving my Big Apple dreams behind was bittersweet, but I knew my biggest adventures were awaiting me in Texas.
Upon landing in Dallas, I reflected on how my journey thus far had come full circle. It’s hard to describe the feeling. When the wheels touched down and taxied to a stop, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, pride, history, family, friends, and nostalgia all combined into one single moment.
From my earliest yearnings for independence and new experiences abroad, I learned to love and appreciate my Texas heritage even more. It’s official. I’m a Texan to the bone, heart, and soul. No matter where my future self takes me, I know my heart will always remain firmly planted in Texas. There truly is no place on earth like my Texas home!
