Angela Jamison is a native Montanan and she grew up in beautiful Bozeman. I'm the mother of two girls and write a blog about our life here and taking in the simple pleasures of family and food. 

Dear Montana,

First of all I want to thank you for finally welcoming spring to our valley. It was a long time coming and I very much appreciate it. Now it is time for me to apologize to you. It happens every year. During the dark cold of winter I begin to betray you sweet Montana. I begin to think of leaving for warmer climates, thinking surely there is more to life than being stuck inside for the fifth day of below zero temperatures. I know you mean well with this, moisture is needed and the skiers love you for it. You could say they have a better relationship with you. I just find it so hard to stay faithful to you. I imagine more beautiful places, more adventurous. It happens a lot when I travel and I’m sorry for that. I get caught up in the newness while visiting someplace else. I see things through honeymoon eyes…the trees seem bigger, the sky brighter, the vibe more exciting. Please remember, I always come back to you. Once back the novelty of vacation wears off I see you for your greatness. I see how the trees here are just as big and lovely. How the mountains give me a sense of contentment that I never feel anywhere else. Oh, Montana, you always remind me. And welcome me back with your big blue sky.

Occasionally I stray right within your own backyard. My heart may be firmly in Bozeman, but I get into Missoula and there I go again. I get mesmerized by the river flowing through the middle of town. I am charmed by the quirky nature of the locals and the anything goes attitude. And, they have Big Dipper ice cream and that is hard to compete with. I am not proud of this, but it’s true. But, don’t worry Bozeman…Missoula ain’t got nothing on your mountains. So I come back.

I fall back in love with you every May. By summer, our relationship is solid again. We dance our way through the warm days and into the star filled nights. Everything is fresh and new again. Things begin to get rocky when the first snow begins to fly. Maybe we should see someone about this. Or, we can keep going on this way. My ever faithful Montana, taking me back no matter how far I wander. Loving me for who I am when I can’t seem to do same. I will try harder to love you how you deserve. To see you from the perspective of those who long to be here. For now I will simply be friends with beach towns and vacation cities. They can never fully be trusted with their fancy downtowns and and flirtatious ocean waves. They are seductive, but I will stay strong.

Thank you Montana…for taking me back yet another year.

Love,

Angie