Walking into newsroom is fulfillment of childhood dream
This was originally published in the Jan. 20 print edition of the Midland Reporter-Telegram.
My entire life I've lived in the Fort Worth area — minus the three years I lived in Lubbock while attending Texas Tech. But even then, I'd make the four-hour drive each weekend and moved back home during the summers and winters.
Throughout my education, I planned on moving back home. I had always wanted to write for the Star-Telegram — where my father was once a newspaper boy.
That's why it shocked everyone when I told them I applied for a job in Midland.
They all asked why. They said it was brown. They said there is nothing to do. They said they thought the locals were stuck-up — you know, all the things they say whenever you tell someone you live in Midland. But I didn't listen.
I accepted the position before graduating from Tech, and I did so without any hesitation -- it just felt right. Since I've been here, I've realized there is a huge social stigma on this city and its people.
There actually is an abundance of colors in the sky during sunrise and sunsets each day. There is a row of bright-colored stores right off Andrews Highway. The fire hydrants are yellow, and the electrical boxes downtown are vinyl-wrapped with beautiful, vibrant illustrations. The city is not near as brown as I expected.
And there are plenty of coffee shops and thrift shops — the two types of places I frequent most. More importantly, there is The Bar — with its tender steak fingers and delicious gravy.
And the locals are more laidback and friendlier than those in Lubbock and Fort Worth.
In fact, one early Saturday morning, I went to Albertson's, and an employee stopped with a broom in his hand and talked to me for 10 minutes. He ended the conversation with, "Welcome to Midland and congrats on the new job."
So, when I showed up to work on my first day, I bragged on you all. I told my colleagues the city has given me an incredible experience since I've been here — outrageous rent and gas prices put aside.
And the Reporter-Telegram continues to make it an incredible experience.
When I pulled out of the parking lot after my first day, I called my parents and emailed my former professors about how great my day was.
I went home and hugged my partner and told him how fast it went by.
He said, "That must mean you like it." And I smiled.
After thinking for a while, I finally told him, "My life feels like a dream. I'm 21 years old, less than a month out of college. We're living on our own in a brand-new city — and I'm a real journalist now."
"Yep," he replied.
"This is what I've wanted to do since I was 6 years old," I said.
And here I am finally doing it.
Thank you, MRT, for the opportunity. Thank you, Stewart and Mary, for taking the time to learn about me — and for believing me — a young girl who had not even graduated college when you offered me the position. You have made my childhood dreams come true.
And thank you, city of Midland, for making me proud to write in each email and say in each phone call: "This is Brandi Addison, the education reporter for the Midland Reporter-Telegram."
Photo provided by Unsplash through SquareSpace.