There are choices in our lives that we can look back on and see how the trajectory of our journeys were SO impacted by one decision. Well, 10 years ago that singular choice for me, was to move from Miami, Florida to Birmingham, Alabama.
I didn’t know it at the time, but it really was the best decision for my family.
This move, initially, hit me like a ton of bricks. There was an instant culture shock, I missed my friends, my family, my routines, my hairdresser, my church, I mean, you name it… I missed it. It would take about a year for me to finally come to terms with the move. 1 year, of wondering if I had made a horrible mistake. However, financially it was evident that my family was in a better place. By April 2013, I bought my first home. I was married at the time, I’d be divorced by June of 2014; however, that divorce would’ve happened regardless. I thought moving out of Miami would help with the unfaithfulness stuff, it didn’t, which tells me… that last straw, that last occurrence, it was going to happen no matter our zip code. Once a cheater… well, you know the rest. Any who…. I never blamed Alabama for that one.
After the divorce though, that’s when living in Alabama became the most amazing blessing. First, cost of living here is so affordable that I knew me and the kids would be just fine. Second, my sister had already made plans to move up to Bama, so I knew I’d have the best support system. Third, my kids and I were adapting; we made friends, the kids were making excellent grades in school, and I had the freedom at work to attend all of their school functions and field trips.
Eventually, because of that decision back in June of 2012, to move to this state that I knew nothing about, I got to be in the right place, at the right time. I’d meet my forever in May of 2015. We’d eventually marry, and I became a mom again, this time, to a 16 year-old young man. I’d transition to a job and a company I absolutely love, my daughter met her forever here, and because of my bonus son, I’m waiting to be an Abuela for the first time.
So much of my life: professionally, spiritually, emotionally, relationally have been blessed by that 1 choice. A choice that took me almost a year to finally stop fighting and embrace. A choice that wasn’t easy, or comfortable, or familiar.
God doesn’t do easy, but HE does exceedingly, abundantly more than we can even imagine.
I wouldn’t change a thing. Not a single thing.
Thank you Alabama, for the craziest, pain-filled, beautiful, challenging decade of my life. Take it easy on the next 10, please.