The sun was just rising over the old peaks of Juárez, causing golden rays upon the expanse desert landscape of El Paso, Texas. For Amara Johnson each sunrise represented a new beginning. But when she laced up her running shoes that morning, the silence of her apartment was filled with memories of her first days in El Paso. She remembered arriving in El Paso and how it was both exciting and terrifying, the thoughts of her sleeping in the airport for 7 hours layover rushed back to her- first time on a plane. As it descended through the clouds. Excited that she is going abroad to study and run track but terrified - El Paso does not look beautiful at all. When Amara stepped off the plane, she felt a blast of emotions, happiness and excitement mixed with the weight of loneliness. She kept replaying every part of the day through her head, from her sisters taking her to the airport to checking in, to getting snacks and even sleeping on the floor between her flights- she cherished it all. The excitement of opportunity was overshadowed by the solitude of being alone in another country. She thought about all the things that she would be able to do, since her parents were not around.

​

The first couple weeks were jumbled with practice, classes, awkward introductions in class and at practice and the appealing and intoxicating smell of new and fresh adventures awaiting. Still, loneliness clung to her like a shadow. She felt so distant from home and her family, despite all the friendly, warm and genuine smiles from her coaches and classmates. She missed her family, especially her dad-as he was sick. She missed the sunny morning runs to the farm, where they would sit and talk all day about absolutely nothing. She missed pulling all-nighters with her younger brother Jay, the sweet spicy scent of jerk chicken, and the loud ear bussing reggae music blasting from her neighbor’s house. She missed the daily walks with her siblings to the river, she missed the smell of green trees and fruits in her backyard- the heat of the day and cool of the nights and mornings. She missed churches on Sundays and Wednesdays and prayer meetings with her sisters. With all those memories, she was still excited for what was ahead as she knew it was great things.

​

Days turned to weeks and weeks to months and Amara began to embrace the warmth and welcome of El Paso and its people. She found solace in experiencing the Mexican and Texan culture and food. It reminded her of home, and she thought she had found her new home.

​

Running became her place of peace, afternoon practices with her training partner Maribel turned her loneliness into determination to make something good out of her life and track career as she felt and knew she was a part of something bigger. A community, home maybe.

​

It was during a late afternoon practice, as the sun got hotter, and practice was about to start- the sun beaming. She met Miguel, he was a 400-meter runner- very quiet and had a great love for the sport. She remembered her from an Instagram post, she giggled as she thought about how she though he was cute when she saw the post in Jamaica and now, she is literally here beside him.

​

After a couple weeks of her pretending not to notice him, even though she was attracted to him- he messaged her. They connected, their relationship grew into something more- they started dating and then got engaged after two and a half years. Love, a love that felt natural.

​

As graduation got closer, Amara found herself reflecting on her journey and she thought about her experiences and how proud she was of herself.

​

After visiting Jamaica twice in the three years that since she left, the quiet moments that she spent at the river with her siblings, watching the perfect water flow came back to her. There was a peace that she never noticed, the loneliness was no longer present- as she looked at the life that she made for herself, a life filled with love from people who has been apart for her experience- friends, coaches and Miguel who has made her nights less lonely.

​

El Paso welcomed her with open arms, giving her peace that resides in her soul and wrapped around her like a warm blanket. She has grown to appreciate even the simple things in life, like the laughter shared over meals at a local restaurant to the taunting of her teammates, the relationship she has with them and the calm slow pace of life at the border. She had found a new home.

​

And in these memories and experiences, from the desert wind to the great heat and frequent dust storms- she realized that home was not a place, but it was people and a feeling. She knew that wherever life took her next. El Paso would always be a part of her story.