Last night, I read (and shared on social media) my blog post from May 2010 and the Nashville flood. It was interesting to read my memories from those days of rain, flooding and recovery. Over time, details fade from the memory and sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of those details.
A friend shared her thoughts about the flood and how her life has changed since then, and it really made me think.
Five years ago, my husband and I lived in LaVergne, TN. I can definitely say that in the last five years, my memories of that house went from being mostly negative to now remembering all the good times we had.
If you’d told me in May 2010 I’d move from that house in seven months, I’d have not believed it. I’d certainly have not believed I’d make huge financial decisions at the same time. I’m not sure I’d have even believed I’d start bartending regularly, make big strides in photography, and ultimately buy a house in Gallatin. Heck, I’d have probably laughed at you.
Where I am today versus where I was during the flood are night and day different. Sometimes it’s hard to believe five years have passed since the flood. Other times, it’s hard to believe it hasn’t been longer.
Nashville… Nashville has changed a lot. I think the flood gave the city something of a rebirth. Many buildings that needed to be remodeled got the much-needed upgrades. Efforts to avoid future floods have been made. And all of us who lived through the flood continue to have something of a bond. Nashville definitely can be said to have a “Before Flood” era and “After Recovery” era.
I think the recovery possibly paved the way for the fast paced building going on here. The way the city bonded together turned heads, and perhaps that helped turn us into an “It City.” We’re facing a different kind of flood these days: a flood of newcomers and condos.
Yes, five years later, Nashville looks a lot different. All of us do. I’m curious what we’ll see in another five years. I suppose we have to just stay tuned…
