LSU will hold a place in my heart forever, as will it with everyone in my family. My wife and I are both LSU alums, currently live in BR and attend LSU sporting events on the reg. But a growing part of the friends we've all met from our school community are starting to send their kids away from BR as they age into their college years. I've done as much in the interim to explain to my kids what I hope for them in the future, specifically mentioning how I do not want them to grow roots in this city. My wife and I plan to leave here (for the most part) once the kids have all left the nest. With our extended family continuing to remain here, we'll never leave BR "for good" I'd say, but I intend to spend the majority of my time somewhere else if for anything, my own longevity and health.

My oldest is in 7th grade so where I'm at right now, it's really easy to say these things before grappling with the idea of him being in school somewhere out-of-state. Wherever he chooses, hopefully we'll have the means to stay somewhat close. I will do what I can to keep my family unit together through the years and being able to go wherever we need to will help that, barring any financial inabilities.. I will have similar goals for the other kids and making sure we're all able to reconvene at nearby places will be the ultimate achievement.

Louisiana has been very good to us as far as work/family and I'll never forget it. The state, this city, this university, and my local friend base will always be loved. But I gotta get the next generation out of here. It's really turning into a shithole.

Just look around you. Look at the litter, the cars, the violent crime, the roads, the lack of license plates/abundance of temp tags, the increasing lack of police presence, the empty storefronts, the bums, the beggars...

Where can we go? What's on the other side of the rainbow? I dunno, but it's gonna be somewhere other than here.