Time Never Slows Down

It's been just over a year since we came back to sunny Tennessee. I came with a heavy heart and expecting the worst experience.

I was wrong.

This last year was a growing experience. A time to accept where I am and where various friends and family members are. To embrace our individual trials and schedules and quirks. To open the heart and the mind to truly listen to what all is being said by everyone around you.

A true blessing for my kids and I.

There are many that I didn't get to see as often as I would have liked. But I am comfortable knowing that they are there. Through phone calls and text messages our relationships evolved. To comfortable in the fact that yes face to face is optimal, but sometimes a simple text is just the right amount of interaction. It is not because we want to be alone, but that we accept where we are as individuals and our situations and embrace each other just as we are. To reach this point, you must be truly grown. You must be confident in the relationship you share. Time won't slow down for any of us, so we must seize each and every moment.

I watched my kids become closer to their cousins. To begin requesting that Auntie come for the night. To go Pokémon hunting, or the park. I loved seeing my youngest niece every morning at the school. My sister and I were finally able to reach a level of communication and it was truly amazing. I accepted her and she accepted me. This has been years in the making. The first few months were uneasy, but we pushed through for the kids and for each other.

I'm always a Daddy's girl, nothing new here. I took a road trip with my Dad to visit my Michigan family. It was an amazing experience. Great memories made with all my Aunts and even my Mom. My Dad was there for me through it all. Even when not feeling  his best, he was giving it all he had, for me. How can I ever say that I am not blessed.

We grew in a new church. A church I would love to join, but that is not in God's plan at this exact moment in our lives. I watched the people embrace the kids and I. My children eager to walk through those doors each and every day. The word of the Lord a tight embrace in times of need.

I missed my husband so very much. It has been nearly six years since he has lived in our tiny house in this smaller town. Yet in my heart he is here. Through the lens of a camera he saw our daily lives. HIs voice echoing against the walls as he talked to us. This is not the best way to live, but hurray for technology! 

I have made new friends, grown closer to old friends.

I am confident in the next step. Our next adventure. I know that my friends here will always be my friends. I have so many friends from all over the United States. How could I ever ask for a better blessing than that? I have an amazing husband by my side. One who supports me and I support him.

My fitness journey began here. One that I plan on continuing. Many new friends were made at the YMCA. So truly blessed to have gone there and learned my inner strength and gained the confidence to continue to grow. I am now more confident with my body image. I have learned that I can change it. I have learned that it is truly beautiful.

This one year in Tennessee was truly a blessing. I thank everyone.


Sunday October 9, 2016

Dedicated to all of my Tennessee friends and family, May we all continue to grow closer