This time, it's not a round trip. This time, the plan is to drive to Michigan and stay there for good.
Some things will be easy to leave: baby copperhead snakes at the park; black widow spiders; blazing triple-digit heat in July; occasional hurricanes; fire ants.
Some things which seemed like a thorn in my side when I moved here 15 years ago have actually grown on me, and I will be missing them in Michigan: the word y'all as an all-purpose pronoun; hearing grandparents address their grandchildren as "ma'am" and "sir"; sweet tea (cold, not hot); phrases like "bless your heart" (a mild insult) and "you're a mess" (a compliment).
Some things are downright painful to leave behind: amazingly supportive friends; the houses and neighborhoods where our children were little and learned so much; our homeschool group; walking on wooded trails wearing short sleeves in November; crepe myrtles in the summer and pansies in January.
We've had a wonderful life here in North Carolina and we are looking forward to a wonderful life in Michigan. Just a quick look back before we start our new adventure:
Goodbye, NC, and thanks for the memories.
