Many love letters have been written to NYC—and for good reason. This is my love letter to Indy, a city I never planned to visit, much less live in and fall completely in love with.
Dear Indy,
We moved here in the summer of 2022. A job change brought us to you, but love kept us here. My husband and I accepted jobs at the same place and quickly made the move. We lived in Alabama our entire lives, so it was a huge change for our little family. While visiting Indy, some friends encouraged us to ask if we could see ourselves living here even if the jobs didn’t work out. We explored the area, and both felt that we could see Indy as home. Little did we know that would be the case less than a year after moving here. Our job environment became incredibly toxic, and we walked away—from the jobs but not the city. We repeatedly asked ourselves, “What are we doing here?!” Our entire world was back in Alabama, but we felt like this was right where we were supposed to be and wanted to be. Our children were thriving and loved their new schools, our neighborhood, and the greater Indy area. Somehow, you already felt like home, even in the midst of confusion and sadness.
I asked myself many times if I loved it here because it was new and novel, but after living here for over two years, it’s safe to say it’s true love—the puppy love, infatuation stage has worn off, and a deep love now resides in its place.
I found the freedom to fully be myself here. A new start can do that. Shortly after moving here, I told my work coach that I could feel myself slipping into old familiar patterns. She said something that really stuck with me: “You have an opportunity to show up in a different way here. No one knows how you’ve shown up in the past, so you get to decide how you show up here.” I took her up on the offer and decided I was tired of pretending, and Indy, you fully embraced the real me. I am forever grateful.
There are too many things to even name about why I love you so, but here are a few.
Thank you, Indy, for . . .
Showing me what it’s like to have four true seasons. Alabama basically has summer and winter. The seasons here are incredible! Yes, winter can be dreary, but we love it, especially on snow days. Even flurries make my heart smile! If you could send a few more snow showers our way this winter, I’d be super thankful.
Turning me into a Pacers fan! We’ve always been big college football fans (Roll Tide!) but never fully knew the exciting world of professional sports before moving here. We became huge Pacers fans and love going to games at Gainbridge. There is a plethora of sporting events and teams to support—Colts, Fever, Pacers, Indians, and Fuel, to name a few.
Keeping me caffeinated at all your dreamy coffee shops. One of the first things I searched for when visiting Indy was a good coffee shop, and you did not disappoint! Some favorites are Brickhouse, Coat Check, Bovaconti, The Well, Indie Coffee Roasters, and Debbie’s Daughters. All offer delicious coffee and a great atmosphere, whether I’m looking for a place to work, connect, or read.
Indy is always offering something fun to do, from festivals to museums to apple orchards. It is such a lovely, family-friendly place to live.
Feeding my love of small towns. The greater Indy area is full of small towns with thriving small business communities that are so fun to visit—like Noblesville, Franklin, Zionsville, and Fortville. Even the city itself has distinct smaller areas with their own unique personalities like Fountain Square, Mass Ave, and Irvington.
Going all-out for fall! Fall is by far my favorite season, and Indy fully embraces its autumnal glory. There are fall festivals, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, Colts games, the best fall weather, beautiful foliage, and Halloween done right. This city goes all out for Halloween with decor, trick-or-treating, and even chili in neighbors’ driveways.
Providing me with so many places to pick up new books and thoughtful gifts! Wild Geese Bookshop in Franklin is my favorite bookstore in the Greater Indy area. It’s idyllic setting, a wide selection of books and all things bookish, and kind, helpful employees make it the perfect way to spend a free afternoon. There is no shortage of wonderful bookstores to check out in Indy.
Being the perfect mix of city and country. We are right by the booming metropolis of Indianapolis and just around the corner from long stretches of farmland and endless rows of corn. While driving my daughter to band practice one morning, we saw someone walking a pig on a leash with the most beautiful sunrise overhead. I can’t help but think how lucky we are to have all the city has to offer right at our fingertips as well as the serene beauty of the country just down the road.
Introducing me to some of my closest friends through Indianapolis Moms and Indianapolis Moms Book Club. These ladies are one of the main reasons I’ve been able to fully be myself here. I found my tribe through Indy Moms Book Club, and I just feel so lucky to have met this group of amazing women. I could go on and on. I wholeheartedly agree with John Green’s praises of Indy. It may not be for everyone, but for those who love an eclectic mix of big-city meets small-town life, Indy is the perfect place! Perhaps I’ll write to you again soon. But for now, thank you, Indy, for embracing me in all of my quirkiness and uncertainty. I’m so glad I landed here. There’s truly no place like home, and my heart has found its home here.
