Thursday, October 22, 2009

It's official.

I'm really moving to Charlotte, NC. I have one month left in my sweet beloved hometown of Pensacola and I will be making a move away from the sweet coast up into the Mountains of North Carolina. A change of scenery will be nice but the thought of giving up my beach breaks my little heart. It's bittersweet, really. That is the best way to describe my emotions and feeling toward all of this.

I will always be a Pensacolian. I love it here and it is my home. Our beaches are amongst the most beautiful in the world and I can get around this town with my eyes closed. My dearest and lifelong friends were made here. Pensacola will always have a very large portion of my heart and I will visit as frequently as I can.

Charlotte is a bit intimidating to me. It's SO BIG. Don't they call it the NYC of the south? Seems like I've heard that before. I'm used to a somewhat smalltown feel. I have a feeling I'm going to need to purchase a GPS before I go. Big city traffic freaks me out and getting lost freaks me out even more.

Thankfully, Charlotte, NC is still the "south". I am and will always be a southern girl. It's in my blood. I am all about southern hospitality, sweet tea, grits, the knowing that fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb, ya'll is a part of my everyday vocabulary and I will always say yes/no Ma'am and yes/no Sir (Mama and Daddy raised me right!). There are so many more southern perks. I love being from the south.

I really can't believe this will all be reality soon. It's so surreal. I am going to live in North Carolina. That is SO weird. Of course all I can think about is- I wanna take all of my friends with me! What am I going to do without the beach? I wanna keep my Florida license and tags! I'm going to have to get used to not knowing how to get anywhere and not feeling at home right away. What if I don't like it as much as I thought I would and want to come back? What if I don't like my job there? Some of these these thoughts are pretty silly, I know.

In the end though, my family will be there. I already have a group of friends there and a wonderful church. This will all help so much! It won't be as foreign as sometimes moving to a new place can be. I'm trying to dwell on all the amazing things Charlotte has to offer- INCREDIBLE shopping- IKEA, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, etc. exquisite cuisine, a lively downtown/uptown and lots of fun things to do like the amusement park, Carowinds. There are a lot of pros! I'll be closer to my cousins and aunt and uncle in West Virginia and just a couple of hours away from my cousin, Tamera in Knoxville, TN. Charlotte is beautiful and I have met a lot of amazing people there. Maybe I'll even meet my husband there. Who knows! ;)

Thankfully, I have a few job opportunities up there already thanks to my amazing boss who is recommending me to State Farm agents in the area. He reassured me today that I will most definitely have a job when I get there. What a relief!!! He also said something that completely took me by surprise as he stated that if I decide to come back to Pensacola, my seat here will always be open and he would gladly bring me back on staff. He also proclaimed that he hasn't told a former employee that before. Seriously? I wanted to start crying. I couldn't believe it. I'm still in shock. This job has been nothing but an absolute blessing in my life in every aspect. I love the people I work with, our clients, my day to day routine and just everything about it. I just have a hard time believing that there is another office out there as great as this one! Let's hope that there is!

In essence- I believe this is going to be a good thing. It's hard, yes but also exciting and adventurous. It's comforting to know that our steps are God ordained and ordered. It's crazy how all of this has panned out and there is more of a story behind it that would take forever to share but God has just put all of the pieces together perfectly. I have no doubt that this is His will. It doesn't make it any less difficult but trusting Him and knowing that He will take care of the details is so relieving and encompasses my heart with total peace.

Today I'm more upbeat about things. We close on our house tomorrow and move out this Saturday. So be expecting a bit of a gloomy post shortly. My emotions are a whirlwind these days. I can go from laughter to tears and vice versa in a matter of seconds. It's a bit pitiful.

So here's to a new season, a new chapter, a fresh start and a scary/exciting adventure!

10 comments:

alyssa said...

aww! you will be fab no matter where you go! you seem like a city girl to me ;) are you moving with your parents? and what a compliment from your boss!!

Annie said...

this change/move sound slike it is going to be a great new exciting adventure of your life!!
wishing you the very best with your move and your upcoming future! :)

Sarah said...

I know it's going to be hard to move away from everything that is familiar. But you are starting a new chapter of your life, and that is so exciting! I think God has some seriously amazing things waiting for you in NC.

Sierra said...

I always love how you write your posts Amber, they are so heartfelt and sincere. How brave you are to move to a new location, but from the sounds of it you already have a foundation going, so that is wonderful. How sweet that your boss said that about you, that is nice to know! Also, glad your new job is all set up in NC and yes who knows? You might meet Mr. Wonderful there, yay!

Thanks for your get well wishes - I hope I feel better soon too.
Happy packing and here's to new beginnings!

Elizabeth Banta said...

Wow you're really doing it!! I'm SO proud of you! I had no idea what to expect with your blog title "it's official" haha. SO happy to read this! You will ALWAYS be in my prayers and I feel in my spirit too this is going to be an amazing opportunity for you. Wow.. And yes, who knows.. maybe you WILL find Mr. right while you're there! ;)
I'm sure you are flooded with so many different emotions right now,
but ultimately you know you are doing the right thing bc like u said, our steps are God ordained and ordered! And yes there IS so much comfort in knowing that. :)

So happy for you! Btw, the big city traffic freaks me the heck out as well! Don't feel bad lol. You can do it!! :)

Shanny said...

Aww my dear Amber, I wish you nothing but the best! I'm sad that you have to leave a place that you love so much but I'm glad you'll be close to your family and you can all venture in the new life together. Big hugs to you, I'm sure it was tough decision to make.

Unknown said...

I'm so excited you're moving to Charlotte!! :) I LOVE that city! I know you love Flordia..but you will grow to love NC just the same! Praying for you during this time of transition!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

That's great! You'll be able to stay with your family. Charlotte is great! There's so much to do there and you're right! The shopping GREAT! WV is only 5 short hours away. I make the drive all the time.

Becky Tjandera said...

aww don't be sad of the moving dear . i think you're going to have a great time there . and you can always visit you friends :) have a nice weekend !

A Moms Perspective said...

:D I'm one Happy Momma!
I love you! <3