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The photo above was taken in December 2015 - the day we signed the lease on Chaparral Coffee. That's Austin holding our 6 week old first born - Cotton Eugene. I always get a bit teary-eyed when this photo pops up. How young we were, how small Cotton was - the blue carpet, the ceiling fan - the visions we had and all the unknowns we accepted.
The past ten years have been filled to the brim with so much to be grateful for. From taking a chance in little 'ole Lockhart - knowing only one other family, never having run a brick & mortar, new parents - to meeting a whole new community - seeing it blossom and grow. As well as seeing our own family expand.
This little coffee shop space has been our second home for the paste DECADE. We've met our best friends here, held babies, connected countless neighbors, celebrated home closings, given long hugs, hired teenagers and bid them farewell to go on and become doctors, photographers, actors and world changers.
At the time of opening Chaparral, I wrote in my journal to Cotton that this little coffee shop space would see his first steps, that he'd one day get to visit Pops at work, and that this would be his second home. Now, ten years later, I've seen all of these visions come to reality. (Just yesterday, Cotton walked down to the shop to eat some breakfast.)
I'm crying as I write this because I just feel the weight of all that came from this one little photo. All our visions and dreams became beyond what we ever imagined. And I'm just so thankful to be here. With you. In this funky little town that is growing so fast. We have learned so much over the years and still have more learning to do. And it is truly an honor to be here.
Over the highs and lows, one thing remains solid - we have always felt supported by this community. Whether you are a local Lockhartian, a new resident, an out of towner just passing through, or an out of towner regular - we continue to welcome you to Chaparral.
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