Three months ago I was at a crossroads. I had a job with a promising future, great new friends, and an apartment I loved right in the center of Houston, TX. I had never had a serious plan to move home over the years I was gone. It was always an idea I flirted with but just couldn't find enough reasons to come back if it meant quitting my job, a massive lease break fee, saying goodbye to new friends, and start over. Then something changed. One of my best friends was buying a house and wanted to see when I could move in. That was the spark I needed. As I was looking for new jobs, going over moving costs, and getting stressed out of my mind I thought of the LeBron James letter home.

James' (or his ghost writer's) words inspired me. I felt like I could understand some of the pain he felt although mine is on a much smaller scale. I rewrote it to apply to my situation. I couldn't talk about winning NBA championship but I could talk about being there for friends birthdays, and seeing my little sister play High School basketball.

I shared this on social media as my sort of announcement as well of my return home. I first did it for the humor aspect of it but I do believe it was a pivotal part of me making that tough choice and being able to express myself with someone else articulated thoughts and me filling it in sort of "mad-lib" style. I encourage all you bloggers, journal writers, and people who are looking for an answer to do the same. Plug yourself into this and see if hard questions become obvious. I won't take credit for the letter layout. As Kanye West has once said,"I would put my job title as creative genius..... except it takes to long to write it and I sometimes spell genius wrong." However, I will take credit for any life's changed. Here is my version below:

Before anyone ever cared about college and careers, I was a kid from Riverton,Utah. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I went to school. It’s where I met my best friends. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their friendship and love can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them the best time when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Utah is bigger than myself. I didn’t realize that three years ago when I moved. I do now.

I remember when I left in 2013. I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving friendships I had spent a long time creating. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Houston, for me, has been almost like going to college again. These past three years helped turn me into who I am. I became a better man. I learned from a city that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Houston as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.

I went to Houston because of opportunity and the thrill of a new place. I believed I could do something magical when in a new place. And that’s exactly what I did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those my friends. I’ve talked with them and flew out to many events. Nothing will ever change what I accomplished. I want to thank Vivint and all my friends I made along the way for giving me an amazing three years. You will always be some Tier One best friend material and I will never forget our adventures either.

When I left Utah, I was ready. I was seeking a career path, and I got that. But so many of my friends who stayed home already knew that feeling. My goal is still to continue progressing, no question. But what’s most important for me is just being there. Being there when my sister plays her first varsity basketball game, there for all my friends weddings, there for a casual night out, and there to spend time with those most important to me.

I always believed that I’d return to Utah. I just didn’t know when. After last year moving wasn’t even a thought. But I have friends and family. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my future family close to my hometown. I looked at other friends, and I realized I wasn’t going to leave for anywhere except Utah. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.
To make the move I needed the support of my parents, siblings and friends who can be very tough but always encouraged the move (Especially my mom).

I’m not promising a perfect return. I know how hard that is to deliver. I not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to have my life in order, but I’m realistic. It will be a process, much longer than it was in 2013. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a new job and much uncertainty. I will be the old Bryce. But I get a thrill out of bringing my group together and having my favorite people in this world so close to me.

I feel my calling here is more than just being there, goes above that. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Houston, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want my nephew to be able to see me on more than just Facetime, I want to have Sunday dinner with my parents and not just a weekly 10-minute phone call, and I want to be there for even the smallest of celebrations among my friends. Like the hundreds of people I have been able to meet we all eventually realize that there’s no better place to be than home.

In life, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you
have.

I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.
8/29/16