We moved to Savannah on July 1, 1974, married one year, graduates of Texas Tech and looking for jobs in a paralyzing recession. Prior to this trip, James had spent a week in Boston, staying at the YMCA at the cost of our life savings of $300. Not one firm gave him a call back. James had heard there were architecture apprentice positions open in Atlanta so we tried to find work there, but no luck. On our way from Atlanta to visit friends in South Carolina, we received a call that they were detained and would meet us two days later. We looked on the map to see where we could hang-out next (cheaply) and James noticed Savannah – a place he studied in architecture courses because it is the “first planned city in America.” Founded in 1733, Gen. Oglethorpe planned the city in squares, with each plot of land designated for a purpose. We arrived one sultry Savannah afternoon and walked the riverfront. James noticed an office for an architecture firm on the riverfront and stuck his head in the office door of Levy and Kiley Architects, inquiring if they needed an apprentice. After a quick look at James’ portfolio while he was clad in cut-off jeans, Jesus sandals, long hair, and Budweiser t-shirt, they offered him a job – with benefits!
I was waiting in the car during his interview and was shocked
out of my wedding bliss when I realized I was moving 1,200 miles away from my
mother to Savannah, GA! My wedding China
was Savannah by Noritake, but I had no idea there was a place called Savannah
when I chose the pattern!
A week later we were driving a U-Haul truck filled with
early-marriage furniture to a rental on President Street in downtown
Savannah. Eventually we bought a small
row house at 236 Price Street. The
location was in walking distance to James’ job on the riverfront and my job
teaching fourth grade at Independent Presbyterian School on Bull Street.Savannah changed our lives forever. We found Isle of Hope Methodist Church, where a group of Young Life leaders and young adults (our age at that time) prayed for us and led us to Christ in the New Hope Sunday School Class. We lived far away from our parents and became totally dependent on each other. We bought our first house, had our first baby, faced financial hardships when I quit work to care for E.J., and missed holidays with our parents. Our church, friends, and the grace of God led us through hard times and joyful times. We have stayed connected to many of the friends we met forty years ago because we bonded as newlyweds, new parents, and new Christians.
Savannah is our spiritual home and the place we often take our children to celebrate life and Christ. Each visit we reflect on the choices we have made since the first years of marriage: the decision to follow Christ and to seek a church filled with loving people who support us and our family – and we praise God for taking us on the first journey to Savannah!
Lovely story I'm glad to know.
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