photo by Jed Wells
Today I read that Utah slipped to second place as the nation's Happiest State. We lost our reigning title to Hawaii. Now if it were me Mr. Gallup, I wouldn't even include Hawaii because first of all, it is Hawaii, and second of all they don't even have to share our land mass. Plus, three isn't Hawaii just another name for Paradise? Who isn't going to be happy in Paradise? Otherwise am I working so hard at being righteous?
So I've been thinking all day about this position, Utah being such a happy place. And I know there are baskets full of nay-sayers proclaiming it is high-spirited only because we are all on chemical serotonin. But I have some ideas on why I am a happy Utahan (currently not taking medication--though if I were I'd not discount my opinion), and I'd like to profess them right now.
In my spot, where my family currently resides, in Provo--the heart of a county nicknamed Happy Valley--I have much to be pleased about.
I live among people who champion families. Our local law-makers believe the family is the central unit of society, and most businesses are family-oriented. We reserve family time as essential and respectfully allow families their needed space away from outside demands.
My neighbors practice self-sufficiency, gardening and emergency preparedness. There is even a neighborhood captain assigned to our street in case the Wasatch Fault decides to give into pressure and we are without basic essentials. Or worse, any essentials.
I wear aprons around town, and so do other women. Like my mom, for example.
The principal of our local elementary is my best friend's mother, who sent her children to the same school twenty-plus years ago. The school song is still the same, and it ends with "It's the best school in the land!" And in my heart, I really believe it.
If I forget to push my garbage can to the curb once a week on my given garbage day (which seems to be a constant in my life--is there an app for that?) for ten bucks the city will send the garbage truck back to my house for a second chance. Plus, my son gets to watch out the window (LOOK MOM! GARBAGE TRUCK!) for free.
There are certain areas of my town where not even Coke can be purchased.
In my neighborhood there is variety. We have friends from Ghana, Hong Kong, Korea and Denmark to name a few. Nearly all my neighbors have spent time living abroad--outside the USA or beyond our state's borders. Many of us speak two languages. For example, I speak French, my husband speaks Japanese, our friend Kirk speaks Italian and Katie up the street is fluent in Spanish. (She even has a decent accent.) Justin down the street speaks Korean, Ellen up the street speaks Danish and across the street you can send your children to school where they can be immersed in Chinese starting with first grade.
We are within moments of parks, museums and a creamery with in-house ice cream on tap. Behind us, a glorious mountain range. In front of us the city and out further, a lake with a water skiing course.
Everyone exercises. Almost everyone. But pretty much everyone. It seems like.
I know men who have studied Christianity all of their lives and who hold doctorate degrees in doctrine. I know women who have successfully raised large--and small--families. I know artists, musicians, engineers, lawyers, doctors, educators and actors. They are all my neighbors.
I can post a photo like the one above which alludes to me cooking, but I can also admit we eat out at locally-owned restaurants and feel simply fine about it. Because we have good food here. And it keeps getting better. And better.
We are old fashioned traditionalists. We are progressive thinkers. We believe general enlightenment is what makes a soul happy. We are seekers.
Obviously I could go on, and I also don't want to misrepresent. I know we've got our aches and pains. As a daughter of Provo who wanted nothing more than to get the heck out of here as soon as I could, I understand those who leave our town broken-hearted and anxious. This place isn't for everyone.
But neither is Hawaii.
So I've been thinking all day about this position, Utah being such a happy place. And I know there are baskets full of nay-sayers proclaiming it is high-spirited only because we are all on chemical serotonin. But I have some ideas on why I am a happy Utahan (currently not taking medication--though if I were I'd not discount my opinion), and I'd like to profess them right now.
In my spot, where my family currently resides, in Provo--the heart of a county nicknamed Happy Valley--I have much to be pleased about.
I live among people who champion families. Our local law-makers believe the family is the central unit of society, and most businesses are family-oriented. We reserve family time as essential and respectfully allow families their needed space away from outside demands.
My neighbors practice self-sufficiency, gardening and emergency preparedness. There is even a neighborhood captain assigned to our street in case the Wasatch Fault decides to give into pressure and we are without basic essentials. Or worse, any essentials.
I wear aprons around town, and so do other women. Like my mom, for example.
The principal of our local elementary is my best friend's mother, who sent her children to the same school twenty-plus years ago. The school song is still the same, and it ends with "It's the best school in the land!" And in my heart, I really believe it.
If I forget to push my garbage can to the curb once a week on my given garbage day (which seems to be a constant in my life--is there an app for that?) for ten bucks the city will send the garbage truck back to my house for a second chance. Plus, my son gets to watch out the window (LOOK MOM! GARBAGE TRUCK!) for free.
There are certain areas of my town where not even Coke can be purchased.
In my neighborhood there is variety. We have friends from Ghana, Hong Kong, Korea and Denmark to name a few. Nearly all my neighbors have spent time living abroad--outside the USA or beyond our state's borders. Many of us speak two languages. For example, I speak French, my husband speaks Japanese, our friend Kirk speaks Italian and Katie up the street is fluent in Spanish. (She even has a decent accent.) Justin down the street speaks Korean, Ellen up the street speaks Danish and across the street you can send your children to school where they can be immersed in Chinese starting with first grade.
We are within moments of parks, museums and a creamery with in-house ice cream on tap. Behind us, a glorious mountain range. In front of us the city and out further, a lake with a water skiing course.
Everyone exercises. Almost everyone. But pretty much everyone. It seems like.
I know men who have studied Christianity all of their lives and who hold doctorate degrees in doctrine. I know women who have successfully raised large--and small--families. I know artists, musicians, engineers, lawyers, doctors, educators and actors. They are all my neighbors.
I can post a photo like the one above which alludes to me cooking, but I can also admit we eat out at locally-owned restaurants and feel simply fine about it. Because we have good food here. And it keeps getting better. And better.
We are old fashioned traditionalists. We are progressive thinkers. We believe general enlightenment is what makes a soul happy. We are seekers.
Obviously I could go on, and I also don't want to misrepresent. I know we've got our aches and pains. As a daughter of Provo who wanted nothing more than to get the heck out of here as soon as I could, I understand those who leave our town broken-hearted and anxious. This place isn't for everyone.
But neither is Hawaii.
63 comments:
you've nearly convinced me to come visit Provo!
Wait, this whole time I could have been wearing my apron around town? Darn it...and I have such a cute collection.
Phoenix here. One time a year, if you forget to put out the garbage, they will come back for $nada (see how I added a little spanish culture, that would be 'rien' for you frenchies)! I do, however, feel Phoenix is NOT a contender for 'happiest place'. :-(
Sad but true.
Ah this made me so homesick! I'm not from Provo- but from Utah. We are trying to get back there right now and I totally agree with you. It just feels 'happier' there.
(I'm in Wisconsin near the Illinois border and Chicago by the way)
Not gonna lie, i sort of want to live there now! Pity i'm thousands of miles away, i would come and visit otherwise :)
Having lived in Provo (as a college student) and Hawaii (as a missionary) I would have to agree that both are fantastic...but you're right, neither one is for everyone. And at this point in my life, I'm not ready to live in either again - maybe Hawaii when I'm rich (because it's even more expensive than California where we now reside, and, you know, you've got to have enough money for plane tickets to fly back "home"), and Provo when I'm tired of everywhere else. But for now we love it here as well.
If that statistic only recently changed, like say this month, it can only be because the cold is dragging out just a little too long here in Utah.
My Mother in law wears her apron everywhere too,lol!
Ever since the beginning of reading this blog, I have wanted to visit your community....now I want to visit more than EVER!!!
I didn't go to Wasatch, but my dad did, and he insisted that we all know the school song, and sing it on occasion, so I'm glad you included that. It really is the best school in the land. And I believe that Provo is the best town in the land. I love this place.
I love living in Provo too!!!!!!!!!!!
I lived in Germany over the summer, we went to church there (Mormons) and met lots of wonderful people who all wanted to know where we were from. I told them Provo and was shocked at the reactions of three different ladies. Each one grabbed my hand and said "Provo? Oh! It is my life's dream to come to Provo! So close to the beautiful temple and the MTC!" Germany is lovely, but I guess you don't appreciate what you have until you meet someone who doesn't have it.
We moved to Eagle Mtn. a little over a year ago. I know, I know. It's not Provo. But it's close enough to enjoy many of the same wonders in our very own town plus we can easily visit Provo (and often do). From practically the first moment we hit our little neck of the prairie, we have felt like we finally came home. We have found all you said to be true. We love Utah!
My oldest kiddos went to Wasatch Elementary when my hunny finished his Masters! I think the principal now is different, but we still love that school and can sing the song. Do the kids still do the end of the year dance festival with the kindergartners doing J-E-L-L-O jello jello say hello! dance? Good years, great school.
Hated my ward who (for the most part) refused to have anything to do with me (I found my own group of ward rejects and made friends so it ended well).
One question - does everyone (female) wear HEELS along with the aprons. That could be a dealbreaker.
I love this post :) My Dad is from Provo and we have lots of happy memories there. Thanks for this post you are right - Provo is happy and there is diversity, and I love the photo :) And my roommate forgets to put the trash can on the curb, every time I ask her to 'put the trash out', ha!
I think MN is the happiest place (also the coldest place) on earth.
I was most unhappy when living in Provo, but I will tell you- it's a gorgeous place!
loved this post! utah valley takes a lot of slack, especially from college-aged kids, but i love it & i am so happy to see utah valley explained honestly and in a positive light.
CJane - you had said that "We are progressive thinkers. We believe general enlightenment is what makes a soul happy." Can you explain that comment a bit further? What makes Provo progressive? Just curious, because that is not the reputation that Utah in general has - and I do understand that reputations are not always built on truth. So I was just wondering what your take on that is??
Here here!
Thanks so much for this post. I mean, Hawaii may be a contender - but I think it takes a certain something to be legitimately 'happy valley' without so much as a palm tree.
It's all about - as you say - the neighbors. The culture.
Maybe this is why I feel defiant whenever anyone refers to the 'utah mormons' as separate from other mormons, and as somehow lacking credibility.
I've lived many-a-place outside of Utah Valley, and probably will, again - and so I think I can safely say that there really is something about this place. Something decidedly AWESOME.
And I wish I spoke French.
I loved living in Provo. My family still does and I'm hoping to return someday just for the reasons that you mentioned. I loved being a part of the community and I felt liked I belonged. Other cities don't make you feel that way. I don't have to dress up nice to go to the store because I probably will not run into somebody I know like I did in Provo. My hubby has to read this post!
Yeah, I'm also curious why you'd use the word 'progressive.' I've never been to Provo, but I've also never heard it referred to as progressive.
This post was nice, but what really makes me want to come visit are all the gorgeous photos you post of family gatherings and other occasions with the huge mountains looming in the background. SO pretty!
You're right. It's not for everyone. Provo is my hometown, I guess, seein' as I grew up there. But I would cry big, fat tears if fortune (or, in my opinion, misfortune) took us back there.
But I've also lived in Hawaii and would cry big, fat tears if I had to move back there too. NOT Paradise, that. If Hawaii is Paradise, I just might bag this whole Word of Wisdom thing and Church on Sunday nonsense.
But there are many people who don't want to live in Sparks, and I'm rather happy with this location. (Though I cried big, fat tears in front of my boss when he told me we had to move from Vegas to Reno.) It has what I need. Lots of yoga. Decent weather, oh, five months of the year. Okay, maybe six. People who are happy with their lives. The Burning Man spectacle each August/September. Tahoe. Legal gambling, and that pays for my state income taxes--which means I don't have to pay state income taxes; which means that I love casinos though I've never gambled a dime. Recycling bins and pick up that are included in our municipal fees. And it's on the west side of the country, for I'm not a fan of the east.
It's a gift to like where you live.
I seriously love that picture and I really love the eloquence of this post as well. But, sadly, I don't own an apron. Must be because I live in Orem. :) I've lived in Palmyra, New York and Tallahassee, Florida and Longmont, Colorado. I also served a mission in Pennsylvania and Maryland. And I have to agree that I've spent my happiest years here in Happy Valley. Thanks for this post! Yay for Utah!! :D
Love the post, reminds me what is great about Provo. I was one of the ones who couldn't wait to get out after graduating from BYU, but from your blog now I can truly see how people stay and call it home permanently.
But don't all of those college students drive you crazy? ;)
Had to chime in on this one.
Hawaii: for me it means expensive plane trip, can't just rent a beater while we're there because there's 6 of us, expensive pretty much everything (yeah, that old plantation style home there that's termite infested? half a million), and the whole managing familial relations can get bothersome (that's just my family, not saying everyone's family in Hawaii is weird like mine). Traffic is horrendous there.
On the bright side, there's da beach, da beach, onolicious food, da beach, old friends, da beach, poi, Hawaiian music everywhere, and da beach. And my dad's house has arguably the best view of Honolulu from Alewa Heights.
Provo: Utah drivers can get tiresome, it's cold right now, as my dad points out there's a lot of beach nearby but no surfing, it's cold right now, snow can get tiresome, sometimes there's some narrow-mindedness (but there's definitely narrow-mindedness in Hawaii too), it's cold.
On the other hand, I love my neighbors, I think my kids get a better education here (despite the lack of funding), it's cheaper to buy a gallon of milk here than a half gallon of milk in Hawaii, and the politics here in Provo aren't nearly as maddening as the politics in Honolulu. Few if any smokers around here. No one just walking around town in just their swimsuits...wait, maybe I liked that about Hawaii, hmm...
Like some other commenters have said, neither is perfect, but it's really no surprise that Utah and Hawaii are the top two, is it?
I would move to Provo simply for "Tucano's", your Brazilian barbeque. Please tell me you are going to post this place?!? Fabulous.
I love the last line about Hawaii, especially since I have had the opportunity to live in Paradise with two babies at the time. It isn't for everyone is it? But it sure is a great place for everyone to visit.
My husband was born here in Provo while his dad got his Masters. Then he served a mission here in Provo. We are now here for him to be in law school at BYU. We have 4 kids, and I LOVE IT HERE. I never want to leave. We have lived 5 other places since we married. I want to stay to raise our family around values, and the wonderful community that surrounds it. I grew up in San Diego, and don't want to go back. Thanks for this post CJane, I heart Provo!!
PS: I lived in Hawaii for 3 years with 2 kids. I miss the beaches, but not the humidity or roaches. I still pick Provo :)
Courtney,
I loved your post on birthing today and just wanted to say that you should check out hypnobirthing and hypnobabies, if you have not already. And Provo sounds nice...but it's SO COLD!
I've never been to Provo, but it has long been a fabled place in my head because of a long-standing devotion to Donny Osmond. :-)
There are many things that intrigue me about the Mormon faith (which seems to be a defining force in the awesomeness that is Provo) - the priority of family life is one of those things.
I live in a city (DC) that sets working as many hours as humanly possible as a priority. Pretty much the polar opposite of Provo!
How wonderful would it be if we could all reset some priorities to put that one first?
And although I'm not sure how long I would last in parts of the city that don't sell Coke, I am putting Provo at the top of the list of places I want to visit!
Excellent post. The Chamber of Commerce should really send you a check!
I don't know about Provo, but I love Utah. Big smacking kisses love it. Love the mountains, love the people, love my neighborhood - love it.
Although I have never seen a soul at the store in an apron (I'm in Highland and the trend is more toward dressing to kill), and I would never in a billion years call it progressive. (See, I'm an evil democrat. And yet I STILL love it here.)
Courtney! Wow! You really know how to sell a place! My sister loves her little neighborhood (close to your little neighborhood)for the same reasons you mentioned, and for the school system as well.
I live around the point of the mountain and prefer to keep it that way. Provo is not for everyone, but it is so GOOD for some! You are lucky to love where you live so much - not everyone is as fortunate.
Great post! And the picture is divine ... it should be a poster called "Life in Happy Valley!"
I would buy one!
This is such a beautiful love letter to your home.
It certainly makes me want to visit.
Wow! Now I miss Provo. I've sort of been homesick for the atomosphere ever since I left after a couple years of college.
I like your thought about birthing. I think I was about where you are.. had a fine epidural with my first, and worked toward a more natural birth with second. I highly recommend Hypno-birthing. I just found a used copy of the manuel at a used book store and bought some interesting hypnobirthing cd's on ebay. It really helped me with my second birth!
I lived in Provo for about 5 years - LOVED it! But always felt intimidated by the runners every morning. Almost made me feel guilty for not running around with them. Almost.
I believe that it must be nice, but Provo kinda' sounds a little too much like Stepford in this description. :)
This post makes me even more homesick than I already am. We moved to AZ about 1 1/2 years ago and while I really like it here, my roots are in Utah County and I can't wait to come home again.
The whole apron and heels is not really my style, but I know it is yours (and you look great styling them) and you NEED to check out LDS artist Leslie Graff (wwwdotlesliegraffdotcom). You will really appreciate her "Domestic" series.
Too bad there are apparently no WOMEN in Provo who hold doctorate degrees in doctrine (or "theology" as we call it in most places of the country)...then I might be able to get on board with this post!
I {heart} Provo! I MISS Provo! Yes, you do live in the most wonderful place on earth. The people are great, the weather is perfect, and I love that in a big city Provo has that small town feel. *sigh I miss it!
I am from the Los Angeles area originally. I graduated from BYU last year.
I am currently trying my hardest to get out of Provo.
But I declare.
This post + your "100 things to do in Provo" or whatever it is called series makes me appreciate this small city.
Truly, there is something to be said for stability and strong community & family values.
I have an interview for a job in Las Vegas tomorrow. If I don't get it, I am done trying to leave.
And I will switch my residency to Provo.
Provo is progressive, just don't let them hear you putting a capital P into your progressive. We just have salt of the earth people, with just enough pepper to make it interesting.
There's something to be said about schools where no one gets shot. I mean, in my entire time in high school, there was that one guy who got caught bringing a knife to school. That's it.
I am surrounded by accomplished, educated, bright, hard-working, doctorate-holding, family-rearing, flats-wearing, hilarious women who burnish us all with their grace.
My husband's from Florida and no one can talk him into leaving Provo.
Sounds wonderful! The only thing better would be if you had said "and my husband wears an apron as much as I do"!! Love seeing into the "retro" house.
Although I am a BYU student and I do not intend to stay in Provo forever, I do love Provo. I get annoyed at the students I hear complaining about Provo, and I have loved your blog which highlights the great things about this city.
From Idaho, living in Maui. Must say, I don't care where you live, it's more about you than the locale. Idaho is wonderful. I'm sure Utah is wonderful. Hawaii is WONDERFUL. Love hearing how "in love" with your city you are. A happy person can be happy just about anywhere. Love hearing your happy voice. I blog about life in Maui, if you're ever curious.
Hmm...I can't help buy wonder if it's only a happy place for Mormons living the same lifestyle (married)...Can anyone speak to any other religions/family situations living in the area and their experience?
I second what Christa said.
And really....it's good to be in a place that prohibits the sale of Coca-Cola in some areas? Don't think I'd call that "progressive..."
I am a Utahn, born and raised. Mormon even. But I would never want to live in Provo.
I think this manifesto on behalf of Provo is born in part as a need to defend it against the "happy valley" labelers. Most of Provo's "bad" reputation comes from people who had an angst-filled college experience there, and were likely too self-absorbed to contemplate the place on it's own terms.
Living ANYWHERE where you KNOW your neighbors sounds lovely to me. It just doesn't happen on the East Coast. (And if you try you scare your neighbors half to death)
I agree, I love to hear your happy perspective on your community. I went to BYU, have several friends that live there (and family in Utah). I never appreciated the architecture there, but now I see some of the midcentury stuff and don't "hate" it, in fact I think it's quite trendy! (Not my style, though)
The point is that yes, you can love a lot about living there, and since you are there that is AWESOME!
I think we all could do better to seek out the great things about where ever we live!!
Progressive thinkers? I join the curious.
Em, My family lives on the East Coast. They know their neighbors and support their communities. The difference is that they do not nearly all share the same religion, their families are not identical.
They are straight, gay, single, married, Christian, Jewish, Atheists, and so on. They are thought of, and treated as, equals. No one is trying to limit the civil rights of another under the guise of relgion.
I'm sure it's not as friendly as Provo but not all need to live where we are the majority in all catagories.
Oh man. If I wasn't already missing Provo...
We're East Coasters for now.
The limits of the written word...I wanted to clarify that I was not putting down Provo.
My point was that it's very easy to love a place where you are in the majority in terms of religion, race, sexual orientation and so on.
Add in a large, extended, supportive family with enough financial means that poverty is not an issue and what more is there? If a person could not love that place, could not thrive there, then there would not be much hope for them.
Being part of a military family, I've lived in many states. I know that feeling of comfort when I see myself reflected back over and over and over again.
Yet it is in making a life where I am not in the majority in many ways where I have learned the most, grown the most. Further, it is the future of this country that I love so much. I want to go where America is going.
Oh, Anonymous, the sale of Coca-Cola is "prohibited" no where. That would be silly.
You can't buy Coke on BYU campus, but that's a private university, not city property. All it means is that I bring my own Coke when I go to campus.
As a person from California who temporarily lives in Provo (and never really liked it that much), you've made me think differently about how I view this town! It really does have some great qualities. Thanks :)
just imagine all the lovely things you said about Provo to be true... Hawaii must be amazing!!!
Amen, Fresh Hell! And very will said.
Fresh Hell, Texas...you said it beautifully! Thank you...
So, as a Catholic, I'd do just fine in Provo?
I kind of want to move to Provo.
oh how i long to live in provo again :(
it is everything you explained and more...
thanks for taking me back in time-- i'm coming to visit provo next week though! i guess that counts for somethin, eh? :)
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