Dear Atlanta,

Growing up 30 minutes outside of you in Marietta made every trip feel like a destination visit- a treat. My mom worked at World Changers Church in College Park and my family attended most Sundays, the motto at the church, “a church alive is worth the drive” and it did seem very far being on the outskirts of you. After church stops would almost always include Underground Atlanta and Centennial Park. We’d throw coins in the fountains at the Underground, stop at Savannah’s Candy Shop for chocolate and caramel turtles, take pictures with the statues outside. At the park I'd run through the water shooting through ground in my church dress. Other weekends included The Varsity, THE ONION RINGS AND ORANGE FLOAT (my goodness). My mom, brother and I would just ride around people watching. My mom would tell me to sit back we were joy riding and then back to Marietta we’d go.

I remember the 1996 Olympics, Izzy the Atlanta Summer Olympics mascot came to do a pep rally at my school we danced and cheered for America. I remember being fascinated by the fact that the world Olympics would be hosted so close to me and you (Atlanta) must be the place to be. I spent that summer in St. Louis, MO with my dad, but from the pictures of my mom had a great time, she hosted some of our other family. Years later my mom worked at the Georgia Aquarium, she got tickets for us to go, there was a play about the sea, mist and streamers dropped down from the ceiling, replicating being under water. My mom and you knew how to have a good time.

I moved out of Georgia for college, attended Howard University in Washington, DC. The top question first week at school was where are you from? One person I answered Marietta, Georgia to said you should just say you’re from Atlanta no one knows where Marietta is. I could not bring myself to say that because it was not true. You were this star to my suburb life. Moving to Atlanta after college. I have been in Buckhead for some time working and making new memories. I’ll take the Lenox Marta stop to Arts Center to visit the High Museum, too much time on/ around the Beltline and honorable mention to the frozen drinks at East Atlanta Village Thai and Sushi, good times. As an adult some of the unfortunate realities about you have shown, the disparities, the homelessness, how do we move forward in housing these people? Still, my admiration continues.

Now with hopes of making as great of an impression on you as you’ve made on me buying a home, possibly starting a business in the city are top of mind. Seeing self-driving cars pick people up and the 2026 World cup next year, you have a bright future ahead and I want to be sure to be a part of it.

Love,

Erica