6 months in

It has officially been 6 months since we packed up everything from our little home in Jackson, Mississippi and moved to Maine.

To be real with y'all - it hasn't been just peachy. I moved here in the dead of Winter and I completely underestimated just how awful the winters are here. When it was still snowing in April I really didn't think I was going to make it to warmer temps. Also things up here are just so different from what i'm used to in the South. Which I expected, but I didn't realize how much it would make homesick for little quirks about the South.

It has been such an adjustment. To be honest, after going through an entire Winter here, I'm not so sure anymore that this is our "end goal". But we are here until next August, so i'm trying to make the best of it. It's not difficult to enjoy Maine in the Summer and Fall. This Summer we have been taking trips to the beach (by trips I mean driving 15 minutes down the road, which is fabulous), swimming in clear running rivers, and sitting at the park eating hotdogs from the local food truck.

Maine is really beautiful in the Summer. We went to Boothbay for the Fourth of July and I wore a sweater. Never in my life did I think i'd be in a sweater on the Fourth of July. We also saw an actual bald eagle on the Fourth, and we see them quite often here. It is so amazing every single time.

I love love love to be by the water. The harbor towns are some of my favorite things about Maine. I've been breaking into film lately and one of my favorite subjects are all things nautical.

We have about a month and a half left of Summer and I'm so sad to see it go. It just started to feel like Summer a month ago. But I'm also excited about Fall here and the adventures we have planned. My sister is coming up in October and we are going to take a trip to Salem, MA to see historical sights from the Salem Witch Trials and also where they filmed Hocus Pocus!

Also - we have a wedding date! March 9th, 2020 we will be eloping in New Orleans, spending a few days there as a honeymoon, then having a reception in Jackson on the 14th. It will be so nice to be able to go down to Nola in the Spring time because here in Maine it will still be Winter and covered in snow and slush.

I never know how to close out a blogpost so hey - thanks for reading if you made it this far.

-sg

Life in Maine

 

I’m officially a Mainer.

On December 30th I packed up my things, got in my car with my best friend, & drove 2,000 miles North to meet my fiancé at our new home in Maine.

I have never lived this far away from my family. My place in Jackson was the first time I had ever lived away from my parents, much less on the complete opposite side of the country. It’s been hard; I’ve cried a lot & am dreading the holidays & birthdays to come where I wont be able to see them in person. I keep reminding myself of what my mom told me when I found out we were officially moving - that there is no better time to do this than now.

Since i’ve lived here it has snowed 3 times & the low for Friday is 2ºF. Yes, that is really fucking cold, but as someone who literally despises being hot & sweaty, I’ll take it over a humid Summer day in the Deep South. I tried to drive to the ocean today but the roads were so slippery I turned around while other people zipped past me with their snow tires. This has been quite an adjustment.

There is no in-between with me, & the same thing applies to my feelings towards moving and Maine and the Deep South. I miss Mississippi & the Deep South so. much. I hate that i’m missing Mardi Gras, I hate that i’m not near my family and friends, & I hate not being in the state that I so strongly advocate for (makes me feel like my arguments aren't valid enough). On the flip-side, I love Maine. I love being able to say I leave in a coastal town and near mountains. I love the snow and I love how quaint every single little town in New England is (literally every single one). I love both states so strongly that it makes me feel very confused on how to feel at the moment. I kind of don't feel much at all. Except cold…

I am so glad to be back with Z, though. Being apart for a month and a half was not as rough as I thought it would be; I think that’s mostly due to the fact that Z works all day and then crashes around 6:30PM, so we didn't get to talk on the phone a lot. But as soon as I saw him after being separated I burst into tears and so did he. He had the house looking so cute for my first visit! He did an amazing job decorating the place, & there was even a Christmas tree waiting for me that he literally CHOPPED DOWN FROM THE WOODS. Pls. I cannot with how cute that is.

I haven't had anyone notice my accent yet, which I think might be because I don't have a very strong accent compared to most girls from the South. Or it could also be because saying “ya’ll” is trendy now (dont even get me started). I’ve also been told you can only really notice my accent on certain words (“boil” & “fixin’ to” give it away…).

I’m really excited to explore more of Maine. If you have any suggestions of places I need to check out, comment below! Currently on my list is Camden, Acadia National Park, & Rockland. See y'all soon!

- S