So I am on my flight Saturday, and suddenly the following realization hits me- this will probably be my last trip to Georgia as a visitor. The next time I come here will be to live- in a new house, on my own, starting a new life. Wow. For a girl who lives all of 5 miles from where I grew up, this is a pretty big adjustment. And while I am looking forward to it, in all honesty, it scares me to death.
Those that have known me a long time know that Georgia and I have had a pretty rocky relationship. After college, I lived here with my sister for a few months. I searched for a job while M finished college. Nothing panned out, so I returned to Michigan and we established our life together. M and I always casually discussed the idea of moving south one day, until about 5 years ago we decided to get serious about it. We put the house up for sale, searched for jobs, and started to mentally say goodbye to our life in Michigan. This was when the real estate market started to dive, and at the time we were aghast at the thought of loosing 30k on the house (what I wouldn’t give for that now!!!) The problem was I couldn’t stop thinking of all of the little things- Would I like the new job? Where would we live? I would need to find a new pediatrician, dentist, places to shop, and activities for the girls… new friends for all of us… How do we make it all work? Eventually I was offered a position with a communication company, and I ended up turning it down. It just didn’t feel right- it was just too much. Poor Georgia- I rejected you again.
So often, as it is in life, you look back and realize that things happen for a reason, and timing is everything. Now all of those little things- which I still have to solve for- just don’t seem to matter as much, and I find Georgia waiting with open arms to welcome me again. This time, it is right. It provides enough support- family and a few friends I already have- and enough “newness” to translate into the next chapter in my life.
With any new relationship, it’s the discovery phase that provides a lot of excitement. Finding comfort in what you already have in common, but also the new experiences you never thought of, and learning more about yourself along the way. It is this phase of the relationship that I can’t wait to experience with this state I will soon call my own. As I look for places that will make it feel like home, it gives me a little rush as I discover what others already know as their every day. Eventually, as with all relationships, I know that Georgia and I will fall into a comfortable pattern, but also one where hopefully we will have make a positive impact on each other, and never truly loose that sense of adventure and excitement.
So with that in mind, I am looking forward to a long and happy relationship with the Peach state and celebrating many more Valentine’s Days together.
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