For Those Who Just Aren't Feeling It

How I learned to love Lynchburg

My husband and I met in the cornfields of Ohio. Our college was quaintly nestled between one field of corn...and another field of corn. The population is just over 4,000 people. There are two stoplights, one of which will turn off during graduation (too much traffic, obviously). It takes about 25 minutes to get to a Walmart or grocery store. Incredibly, there are two coffee shops on the Main Street (okay, the ONLY street), which are managed by darling people who know your face, if not your name and coffee order. Oh, and nothing ever changes. It's like Cedarville is blessedly stuck in a still shot. It was romantic and charming and the perfect backdrop to our love story.

Since Alex is a year ahead of me, he moved to Lynchburg while I was still in Ohio finishing my senior year of college. We had originally planned to get married right after I graduated. But that meant 9 months of long-distance–endless Skype calls, Skype coffee dates, Skype movie dates, Skype guitar lessons, Skype study sessions. I decided that Alex was much more enjoyable in person than on a screen, so we moved the wedding to December (two days after final exams. Highly recommended for a good time!) and I moved to Lynchburg in the beginning of January.

Enter angst. Lynchburg was different than Ohio! Population 80,000. Terrible stoplight traffic. Overcrowded coffee shops. Students out the wazoo. Cheesy chain restaurants. CONSTRUCTION. I spent the better part of three months complaining about this busy place, grumbling when I had to drive on Timberlake, grumbling when I had to take a shuttle to go to class, grumbling when we had to drive to three coffee shops in one day to find a place to study. I had a melt-down when all I wanted to do was to get from Liberty's parking lot to Target on Ward's (during rush hour). No such success. I even seriously contemplated accelerating my Master's program so we could relocate sooner.

One day, I overheard someone who just moved to Lynchburg wax eloquently about how much he hated it, complaining about this and that and all its inefficiency. It really bothered me. I wasn't the biggest fan of this place either, but hearing all his grievances just grated on me. I told Alex about the conversation and decided to ask if I sounded just as awful as that complainer. I expected him to say, "Oh sweetie, you have your moments, but you are the picture of joy with a few rough edges!" Instead, he smiled. (Read: he smiled the smile of shame and conviction). I knew that I has just spent too many months stewing in unthankfulness.

So I decided to take on a new vantage point. What does Lynchburg have to offer? I googled and what not, but I mostly found links to really lame excursions. My husband and I were newlyweds, eager to go on dates and make memories; boring wasn't going to cut it. I joined a few FaceBook groups, made a few Lynchburg friends, and started making 'to-do' lists for activities and sights in Lynchburg. Pretty soon, I started liking Lynchburg. Like really, super enjoying it. Shock of shocks, I know.

This site is a chronicle of my experiences in the Hill City. I decided to publish it for two reasons. Firstly, so I could remember Lynchburg and all its glory, as I'm sure medical school will shortly move us away from here. But secondly, so that those currently living in Lynchburg may have a handy guide to explore the city. Lynchburg is truly a gold mine, alive and brimming with food, the arts, coffee, hiking, you name it. I hope this blog will inspire you to explore your own backyard.

Let's fall in love with Lynchburg.