Wrangler Dani

(Valerie’s right. I should hate it here, and sometimes I kinda do. But mostly I love living in the O.C., and since I would rather focus on love than hate, here goes – a list of love.)

1. The Pacific Ocean. (Duh.) When I first moved here and lived with my Grandma, I lived within a few miles of the beach. Then I moved to Dana Point, where I could see a tiny sliver of ocean from my deck, but it was still quite a ways to walk. Now, Adam and I live a block from our very own slice of sand. I can only guess that our next house will be a boat.
2. Depth. I moved to the O.C. straight out of college and spent my first year crying about how much I missed college, my roommates and everything about everywhere else I’d ever lived. I kindof hate that time in my life when I look back on it, but I grew up SO much. College was a huge growing expereince, and then learning to give college up was even bigger.
3. Community. A large part of the reason that I spent so much time bawling about missing college was because I honestly did not believe that I could make good friends again. Luckily, I was wrong. We have an incredible group of friends, who make living here when I’m mad at smog and traffic still worth it.
4. Awesome jobs. Adam loves his job, and of course it fell right into his lap as soon as he moved here, because Jesus loves him better. (JK God!) I have been “professionally challenged” (see: crying, job angst) but finally landed at the job of all jobs – teaching horsey lessons in the middle of a suburban wasteland. My friend Holli pointed out the other day that my job is so unlikely that I can never say that God doesn’t care about my happiness. Ouch. Yes. I’m blessed beyond belief. (Also, freelance writing is starting to actually pay out these days. Dream come true!)
5. Kayaking! Camping! Outdoor recreation of all kinds! ‘Nuff said.
6. Speaking of recreation, it’s a great place to come visit, and many people use us for our location, which is actually quite fun. Consider this your open invite to beach it up at the Nichols Family Beach House, as long as you’re willing to put up with our insistence that you try the fish tacos.
7. Fambly. Adam’s cousins and various relations are close by, as is my Grandma and Aunts and Uncles. My Uncle Dud is especially awesome to have in one’s corner in a pinch, since he knows EVERYBODY under the sun and is always willing to use Pratt Family Good Vibes to get his favorite neice a tax guy/truck repair/cold beer/freshly killed meat/Best Tacos Ever.
8. Last but not least – I met the Love of my Life here. Who knows what would have happened if I’d given up in those dark days and gone back to Texas or Oregon? I would’ve missed on Hunky McHunkerson, that’s what. So thanks, O.C. Way to make magic happen.