When John & I moved to Chester County nearly six years ago, we didn’t know anyone.  Well, my parents, but that’s it.  We had no friends down the street, we commuted to work and we lived in a little bubble of travel, our selves, Lucy and our house.

It’s funny how community builds when you aren’t even looking.  Today, my yoga community and the broader community of people with autoimmune disorders rose up and illustrated to me —yet again — how important community can be.  How important community is — full stop.

I’ve never lived in any one place for longer than six years.  I hit that mark in the apartment — the first place John and I lived.  And this July, I will surpass it when we hit the six year anniversary of moving into our first house.  This house.  Our home.  In a place we chose because it just felt better whenever we were here.  In a place where we have built community — with locals and business owners and outdoorsmen and yogis and other transplants.  Where our community rises up and carries us when we need support.

When John and I chose each other we had very little else but ourselves to bring to the table.  What we have we have earned together, we have built together.  When I look around at my life, I feel blessed beyond measure in my partner, in our shared vision, our shared likes and values and hobbies and ways we see the world.

I feel blessed in the people who have become our support network — our friends and neighbors.  To have built what we have built from nothing feels like a miracle.  And I am so grateful for it.

Thank you Amy & Susanne.  Thank you so very much.

Xox, g