As printed in Hope Valley Living, July 2014, Article by Brian Diaz
When Hope Valley resident Garrett House was about 18 months old and donning a t-shirt and diaper, he fell into a pool in Jakarta, Indonesia. Instead of panicking, he just did what came natural to a born swimmer: he froggy kicked his way back to the pool’s edge to be pulled out. His mother, Michie House, recollects this story and states, “I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it myself!”
Garrett, his older sister Kyler, dad Oscar, and mom Michie all lived in Indonesia for 14 years while Oscar worked in the tobacco industry doing contract work after completing his MBA at Duke. Locals to North Carolina, Michie and Oscar accepted the challenge of raising a family abroad and Garrett is thankful for his experiences and told me that he wouldn’t change a thing. He is proud of his opportunities to see different cultures, religions, and ethnicities; it shows in the way he relates to everyone, connecting with people where they are, never expecting them to change or adapt to himself, like so many teenagers do.
Now 18 years later (19 by the time this goes to print with a birthday in April), Garrett is still doing the froggy-style kick that is famously involved in the breastroke, now for the Louisiana State University men’s swim team. He also loves being outdoors. Camping, hiking, skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing are just some of the activities he pursues when he has a break away from swimming. Those times being few for a Division I collegiate swimmer: balancing two-a-days with schoolwork leaves little time to spare. When he comes home, he loves to hang out in his Eno hammock in the woods or over the lake at the family’s lake house.
A freshman at one of the largest schools in the United States, Garrett has made a big jump from the small town feel of Durham to the football loving Tiger fans of Baton Rouge. Garrett has used his swimming to forge a new path and continues to excel at a high level after finding his groove in the longer distances of the breastroke and the individual medley. Another perk for life in Baton Rouge- he feels the food is some of the best he has ever had (although I was quick to point out to him that this area is becoming a foodie mecca in its own right), and he states that Louisiana has offered nothing less than open arms.
Ironically, in all the years I have known Garrett, it’s always been him who has had the open arms. This loving teenager has the best qualities of both parents and wears his heart on his sleeve while lending a helping hand to those in need. Garrett has always volunteered at any and all fundraising events for local charities that we have been a part of in Durham. Although he has yet to pick an area of focus for his studies, he is sure to be an asset to his chosen field with his warm and infectious personality. A big heart with strong legs, “thrown” into the water at a young age…then and now, he has always kicked to stay afloat…only now he is creating his own current.