I was never, ever going to live this close to home.

Growing up, all I could think about doing was getting out. Out of a place where you couldn’t go to the gas station without knowing someone. Out of the place where it snows 5-7 months a year. Out of the place where there was nothing to do and limited opportunities. Just OUT.

After graduating college, the Hubs and I moved to the DC area for his job. We loved it there- the shorter winters were a huge bonus. If we were ever bored, it was our fault for not finding something to do. We hit all the museums, drove to the beach on the weekends, went into the city for dinner, went to see the O’s play in Baltimore.

But it wasn’t home. People didn’t say hello or thank you for holding the door for them. They didn’t look you in the eye or make small talk. Nobody said “God Bless You” when you sneezed.  So when the Hubs job offered us a transfer back an hour from home, we jumped on it.

We’ve been back a little over 8 years now and I can’t imagine living anywhere else- especially this time of year.