FIRST IMPRESSION ON THE FIRST...

my FIRST IMPRESSION of UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD...

before we moved to houston, i spent two summers here while evan interned. i began to find my way (somewhat) around the big city while tootling around town. i wasted no time memorizing my way to rice boulevard, because that is where hungry's cafe is located (i now have it programmed into the gps of my car as one of the five favorites- home, church, school, zoo, and hungry's so i can get there from any place in town). it makes sense that rice boulevard is always on my radar, but just a couple blocks from it is another boulevard that over time i've formed quite a bond with too. chances are REALLY slim that i will ever come home to this boulevard, yet it holds a surplus of memories for me. it's funny how certain places can conjure up so many different emotions. over the past five years i have felt fear, anxiousness, hopefulness, joy, stress, worry, love, determination, thankfulness and so much more along university boulevard. 

under this canopy of trees...

we drove to meet witt, for surgeries, and to share hugs.

i have cried many tears of unknowns along this drive.

we traveled daily to see him when we were told he would never leave the hospital.

i heard mighty to save come on the radio too many times to count while making that drive.

under this canopy of trees...

i have completed training walks leading up to the dallas 3-day walk.

and logged miles in preparation for the san antonio half-marathon.

and now walk it for fresh air with mae while the big kids are at school.

under this canopy of trees...

we drove every tuesday for seven months to adelaide's physical therapy.
i pushed play on elmo's world to keep her awake along the way.

we occasionally stopped at the farmer's market set up in the parking lot there every tuesday.

under this canopy of trees...

i have traveled to oh-so many doctor's visits for two pregnancies.

and on this road i would always pray to hear strong heartbeats upon arrival.

under this canopy of trees...

we traveled in the early morning hour to be induced.

and under these trees is where we nixed our possible girl name on the way to deliver.

a couple days later we drove graham for the first time along a snow covered blvd.

under this canopy of trees...

we drove at midnight when i had a strange pain around 25 weeks pregnant
(to discover i had only pulled a tendon so we got to drive along it and head back home).

we drove again at 38 weeks pregnant while i was having contractions
and to await my c-section and meet miss mae.

under this canopy of trees...

i have traveled to meet babies fresh from heaven,
and to sit with a grandfather breathing his final breath here on earth.

it is a beautiful drive that holds so many memories,
some heart-wrenching and some celebratory, but all are a part of my story.
and that is why driving down university boulevard
always makes me breathe and think a little deeper. it holds much of my heart.