How Waterbury has won my heart

Happy Thanksgiving!



What is it about Waterbury that changes your life? I came to Vermont two years ago, a young adult with a heart full of boundless dreams and wonder about living in a new and unfamiliar state. My family and I spent months searching for the right place to settle, finally landing here in the town of Waterbury — and, to be honest, I didn’t know if I was going to like it.

Vermont was proving to be worlds different from my California upbringing: the biggest one being that (even in early fall) it was cold, cold, and cold, and the long, unfamiliar winter loomed ahead of me, very imminent and very epic, with the promise of even more cold.

Yet there was so much to appreciate: the culture, the love of nature, the billboard-free roads, the friendly people, the Front Porch Forum, the incredibly gorgeous autumn — and a lot more. 
This little-known town in the middle of a little-touched state was more of a jewel than I could ever have imagined.

And before I knew it, in your Waterbury way, you won my heart. 
Somewhere between admiring the beauty of a snowy January, finding a new treasure on the FPF, enjoying the delicious food Waterbury has to offer, making another friend, hiking the myriad trails, learning about your rich history, and just meeting yet another great Waterburyian, I realized that I was in love with this place. I even love your winter.

I know I probably won’t be considered a true Vermonter for something like a few more generations, but I’m privileged to call Waterbury home. And in this season, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all of this: thankful for Vermont, thankful for snow (and for Bolton Valley — yay for skiing!), thankful for Waterbury, and thankful for you. You’ve changed my life. Thanks for being awesome.

Emily Adams

Waterbury