A New Adventure

We leave in about 5 hours for Kansas City. I am not really emotional, just ready to go. Well, I am emotional but that's just because Alabama was slaughtered in the sugar bowl last night.

I had a long visit with my Grandmom yesterday and she and I reminisced over the past 6 years. She said that when I moved away from Montgomery when I was 12, she never thought that we would live in the same city again, so in a way these past 7 years have been a gift. And that's true. As a theatre major who wanted to travel the world I never would have believed it if you told me I would settle back down in Montgomery, Alabama. Who wants to move back to their hometown that they left as a kid? But I did, and I have loved it.

My Grandmom and I talked about how we used to meet for lunch twice a week when I started my first job here in 2003. We talked about watching every night of the '04 Olympics at her house. We talked about how she got to be at the hospital when Bennett was born and see her every week for the first year of her life.

Then I thought about how close I am to my nieces. Because I lived here I feel as though I have a relationship with them I never would have had otherwise. Before Rob and I got married they stayed with me constantly. I probably had them at least one weekend a month and if they weren't here, I would go to Birmingham to see them. We have had so many night watching "Sleeping Beauty," eating ice cream and brownies, and having story time. I have never missed a birthday party in 8 years and have seen countless dance recitals, soccer games, basketball games, church plays, and more. Leaving them is by far one of the hardest things about this move.

I have gotten to live in the same town as my parents and so in turn they really got to know Rob when we were dating. In fact I think we went on just as many double dates with them as dates alone. They know all of my friends, we have gotten to be in church plays together, and they have gotten to see Bennett so much and enjoy every milestone with us.

Because I lived here, I got to minister with some amazing people at my church. I have gotten to learn things in the technical field that I didn't think possible. My relationship with the Lord has grown deeper every day. I have gotten to work with some of the most talented kids I have ever known. I had the honor of writing, directing, and editing a television show alongside the most creative people I have ever met. I have made life long friends that can never be replaced. I have had an amazing 7 years.

Maybe moving back to your hometown isn't so bad after all.