Reidsville, North Carolina.

my first sunflower field.

i am a small town junkie. although i'm making preparations to make the big move to RVA, i'm loving the small college town i reside in now. it's something about the homey, welcoming aura that cover these places. the hometown bank, the mom-and-pop restaurants, farmer's markets, the church where everyone gathers on sundays and have lunch at afterwards. they have a way of making you feel at home.

i took a trip to reidsville, north carolina and fell in love as soon as i saw the downtown area.

    

    

    

        

    

        

meet my new buddy, michael; i was finishing up my shenanigans in reidsville & preparing to head back to danville when he stopped me and asked if i'd like a tour of reidsville to check out some of the more historical places in the area. i agreed and he showed me some of the areas i missed downtown and also gave me the backstory and history about many of the buildings.

The Pursuit of Happiness.

Sixty-eight days. For sixty-eight days, I felt like I was in a drought — praying for rain. Checking the mailbox and my email everyday, wishing, fasting, praying, calling, work anxieties, relationship evaluations, support and encouragement from friends, ruminating, introspection & a rollercoaster of emotions. At the end of last week, I finally received some feedback: the program had been discontinued for the fall semester. My application had been placed on hold until next fall. Ever since my sophomore year in high-school, it has been my dream to attend school at VCU & anyone who knows me can tell you about my obsession with the Richmond area. But honestly, I felt completely happy & relieved. The stress and uncertainty was over; one door had closed and another one would soon open. I looked back at how far I had come on my journey, at all the stories I'd told and songs I'd heard, the storms I'd conquered and the rumors I'd survived. I thought about the girls I've kissed and the times I had failed and all the people I helped find their way and realized that I was not only happy but something greater than that; I was resilient. This meant I could apply to my second choice and actually make decent preparations to move to Richmond in these past two-months-and-a-half, I've learned so many valuable lessons:

• God's plan outdoes our plan every time.
• PATIENCE.
• There are many paths to the same destination.

So what does this mean? Phase two begins. Saving. Job and apartment searching in RVA. Submitting an application to my second choice, Liberty University and more time. This also means less stress and more summer. More fireflies and water-balloon fights and time with my brothers and friends. So as I sift through the "I'm sorries" & the "I told you so's" I embrace the changes that are coming and see things will be okay; the winds of change are blowing and I'm adjusting my sails.

So long, Tanner.

Today my homie, my brother & best-friend Tanner moves back to home to Tennessee; this was taken last Friday at Hanging Rock, North Carolina, our last Danvillian escapade. This kid is one of the most loyal, happy-go-lucky, honest and trustworthy people I know. Thanks for having my back, especially during the last couple of weeks. You've made such a huge impact on so many people here in Danvegas. best of luck in the future; the adventures of red and black will continue when I come visit.