What did a year ago today look like? Let me paint you a picture… About this time I would be arriving in Knoxville, TN. My itty bitty Sunfire packed with my whole life in the back seat, my mom riding shot gun, and then me (the driver). Wide eyed from the 17 hour drive but so very anxious to be seeing my best friend, Steven who I hadn’t seen since graduation in 2008.

Three days prior I was finishing up selling my belongings at my garage sale, packing up what I felt I couldn’t sell, and most importantly saying  my goodbyes to family, friends, and co-workers.

For those readers who don’t know, one year ago today I made the giant move to Charlotte, NC. Why? you ask. To spare the details I was following a dream, an open ended story, and the hardest- a small tug on my heart. I had planned on living there for the next few years, but like most plans they don’t always go as you would have thought. My first few months there were hard. I’m sure my phone records can prove how many times I phoned home for reassurance. If I gained anything from that experience and time of my life it was seeing how strong I could be on my own. I flowered into my own person in those long six months. I met amazing people, I have memories I will cherish for a life time, and I am now free of wondering “what if?”…

I would be lying if I said that I don’t think of what my life would be like if I still lived there. I do, especially now when I think of where I was a year ago.

I’m thankful for the turbulence, the tears, the laughter, and the memories.

My life is on a new path now and I’m excited to see where it takes me… I can only wonder… what will a year from now look like?