there is a beautiful chapter of my life set in provo, utah

... and the chapter just ended.

a few times in the past few weeks as i've driven home from work north on the i15 at 11pm, i have found myself stunned with the beauty of the town of provo in the shadow of the majestic mountains. my fingertips have tingled as flashes of memories and discoveries i experienced in this place have shimmered through my heart.

just the other day i thought to myself in some sort of epiphany-moment - "dang! i really, really love provo!"

it's an intriguing place, that's for sure, and everyone has their opinions and/or jokes about it, which i admittedly find amusing. but the bottom line for me is that provo, utah is a fantastic locale. i spent a semester there, then a summer, and now just left behind 8 months of living and learning in happy valley. and today i feel so grateful to good ol' p-town.

it was there that i figured out so much of who i am and who i want to be.
it was there that i learned what being in love really is.
it was there that i had dozens of glorious, fun adventures - some of the best times of my life.
it was there that i made and/or developed some of the best friendships in the world.
it was there that i realized a bit of how to be resilient when my heart was broken or my spirit was dark.
it was there that i had so so many perfect, magical moments soaking in the beauty of the earth and of life - moments when i want to burst out of my skin with real joy.
it was there that i strengthened my convictions and testimony of what is real, important, sacred and eternal.
it was there that i learned about compassion, independence, affliction, empathy, hope, passion, and real love.
i have so many valuable memories there; that place and the lessons learned there have been imprinted on my heart; and for the past while it really, really has been the perfect setting for the story of my life.

so, dear provo, here's to you! thanks for everything.