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My Farewell to Utah

In October of 2006, I opened up an acceptance letter from Brigham Young University. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind of what I should do. I was going to go to Utah in a couple months as a Freshman at BYU… I could not have been any happier. But little did I know how much of my life would change from that one decision and how much I was about to experience.

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I started my new life as a Cougar at Heritage Halls. Lots of drama, but lots of memories. I hiked the Y, went to all the football and basketball games, skied, hiked the Narrows, went to the Grand Canyon, saw the arches in Moab, and ran through the halls of East High from High School Musical.

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Sophomore year began and I was excited to be off campus in Chathamtown. I saw Rihanna, Kayne West, and Adele perform. I camped in the aspens, went snowshoeing, saw the Manti Pageant, and got into the Advertising program. I watched films outside on summer nights in Sundance. I went to General Conference, was a dinosaur, met my last boyfriend, visited with my friend Blair, and had tons of bon fires at the park.

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Junior year, T.J. and I started to date more seriously. He told me he loved me in Kiwanis park. I spontaneously went to Vegas with my girlfriends. Hannah and I had football passes together. I went to black light parties. I camped under the stars in Moab. T.J. proposed to me… I said yes. We visited the temple in Logan and listened to the MoTab’s Christmas concert.

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Senior year I married in the Salt Lake City temple. I went to Park City with Hannah. We had the greatest time at the Provo 4th of July Festival. I went to my first rodeo. We had Thanksgiving in Enterprise where we found the family Christmas tree in the wild. I shot my first gun. I fell in love with the Slab. I went to a Greek Festival in Salt Lake City. I had a Bachelorette party where we played Ping Pong and drank Diet Coke. I was endowed in the Mount Timpanogos temple. I honeymooned in Southern California/Disneyland.

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Since then, we threw activities for our student ward. Had a baby. Went to a huge reunion. Celebrated Halloween and all other holidays like they should be celebrated. Got lost in Zion’s with the McQuays. Watched Jimmer play at the Marriot Center. Had a wonderful baby shower. Spent Sundays with family. Threw girls nights. Went to 7 Peaks. Drove through the canyon and walked on the river trail.

In the finale of The Office last week, Creed said:

No matter how you get there or where you end up, human beings have this miraculous gift to make that place home.

What at first seemed just like a place of residence has truly become my home for these past six years… and I have loved every single one of them.

Thanks for such a great time, Utah. It’s been great.

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7 replies
  1. Lelia Wendel
    Lelia Wendel says:

    So I may have cried a little reading that! Beautifully written!! I’m excited for this new journey you have in front if you! Can’t wait to follow along on the blog!!

    Reply
  2. Rachel
    Rachel says:

    This was beautiful Katie! You got me to tear up and also miss Utah… I hope you have a great move out to the city with Eva. I know it’s hard to move from one state to another especially with a toddler. Hang in there! You’ll love NY and all the adventures you’re going to have out there 🙂 Miss you Guys!

    Reply
  3. Bianca
    Bianca says:

    Katie! This was a really cute post! I’m really glad that I got to be part of some of your adventures! High School Musical will always bring me back to freshman year! Love you! Best of luck on your new adventure!

    Reply
  4. Sam S
    Sam S says:

    Ashley and I went to an Old Navy just a few days ago. and I thought of you. Feels like just several weeks ago that you were a freshman at BYU and you were always needing my car to go to work there at Old Navy. Glad you had an amazing experience in Utah. Now go do the same in NYC!

    Reply

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