The Uncommon Wealth of Virginia
After being gone for far too long, I returned to a state which I left a small piece of my heart.
There's an effectual quality in the natural beauty of Virginia that beckons me. It's almost magnetic.
Last week, I gave in to the paramagnetism and ventured back to attend the marriage of a good friend. The opportunity to visit the sirenous state (and my friend, of course) was just too good to pass up.
I entered by car from North Carolina—the scenery effectively alluring me to leave the seated position and take my place among the gently calling mountains, beckoning me come climb; from the cool water, begging to be dove into; and from grassy hills, asking me come play.
Trust me, I wanted to. But as I was on a mission for a wedding, I waited...and patiently. (I had my priorities...even if the state has bewitched me.)
And when I finally arrived at the wedding site—4,000 acre Oakridge Estates, nestled into a corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains—my body slowly levitated toward (and partially out) the open window before the car had come to a stop; my mouth agape with wonder.
These hills rolled true. The deciduous forests stood tall. And the 100+ year old buildings kept watch over it all in silent splendor. All very old, yet still very alive. It was marvelous.
As we entered the mansion, I was impressed with it's immaculacy for being over 200 years old. Quaint for the size of the property, but just enough space for a family to live quite comfortably without being excessively vainglorious.
But it was the beauty of the outdoors that was calling to me...run, jump, climb, swim. Or walk, stroll, sit, ponder. Usually when I get these inclinations, I just wanna rip off my shirt, kick my shoes any-which-way, empty my pockets, and go. This time was no different, but I was able to show momentary restraint...
After a quick self-tour of the mansion and gardens (where the wedding was to take place the following day), I sneaked up to my friend and whispered, "I'm gonna get outta here."
Having been on many adventures hiking and camping with him, he understood, and quietly responded, " Yes, do it. Please..."
As I was not in the wedding, and didn't need to mess with the triviality of rehearsal—I slipped out quietly to the rose garden, kicked off my shoes, lost my outer shirt and took off to explore.
Glorious.
Nature.
Abounded.
What I found there is difficult to describe. Yet, the fields swayed, the woods sang, the ponds lay silent as the soft grass accepted each footfall accordingly.
Additionally, I stumbled upon more gardens, horses, a hedged pool, a glorious old greenhouse, large open spaces, and numerous stone buildings (including a personal train station for the tremendously rich previous owner [I think he was legitimately more wealthy than JP Morgan...not that it mattered on this day]). Time to think, to dream, and to meditate also accompanied these things with precision.
It was tremendously...incalculably good for my soul. I wasn't worried about my vocation. In that place, bills or responsibilities weren't on my mind. No agendas. No nonsense.
I wanted only, and unequivocally, to be in that type of open-spirited place—with people I care about—where dreams were dreams and men were men.
Virginia was wooing me all over again.
It was 11 years and two weeks prior that I visited for the first time to investigate Liberty University (now my alma mater). I knew quickly that I wanted to be a part of what the state had to offer; relationally, educationally, and (of course) naturally. I liked it (and they) so much, I even stayed a year after graduating, but was finally pulled away by graduate school in the midwest.
Now back to visit, I wondered if I should leave again. Oakridge and environs were pulling a major assist to the State of Virginia (which, honestly, needed no help).
When all was completed, the wedding was phenomenal. Lots of people enjoyed it so much, many both laughed and cried at various moments of the proceedings (groom included) and all seemed to have an amazing time—as two tremendous people wed amidst Virginia's tremendous natural beauty...
A superb opportunity to enjoy both with unimpeded fervor, a blessing to partake in. An honor.
It has been said "Virginia is for lovers". For myself, my friends, and so many others, that is undeniably true. Lovers of friends and family, lovers of lovers, and lovers of all that God created exquisitely, now known as Virginia.
