The Start of Something New

Yesterday was just that… The start of something new.

For the last few years, while finishing up school in the city I’ve lived in my whole life, I have felt unsatisfied and uninspired.  So, when I graduated in December, I decided to reward myself with a solo road trip through the Southeast.  I am a wanderer, so it’s no surprise to those who know me that travel is what I used to reward myself and get inspired.  I decided on the Southeast because in my quest to visit all 50 states the only ones I lacked were the Carolinas and Hawaii- it turns out that this was the best decision I could have ever made.

I have a travel blog that I’ve been writing for a few years, and somewhere along the way I started following Liz, and over two years our friendship grew from liking and commenting on blog posts, to Instagram, to writing guest posts for each other, and finally to staying with her and her amazing wife, Lina when I decided to travel through North Carolina.

This photo is from Liz’s Blog from the first night we met

These ended up being the best days of my road trip.  I loved them and Asheville so much that two days wasn’t near enough time, and I stayed for four instead.  We all instantly clicked and by the time I had to say goodbye I was devastated, but I knew I had made lifelong friends in Liz, Lina and Nick (Liz’s brother).  The minute I got on the highway I called my mom and told her I wanted to move to Asheville.

Both photos from Liz

When I got back to Missouri at the end of January, I was longing for North Carolina.  I was only home about a week before I was on a plane coming back to Asheville.  I knew on that trip that this was it… This was where I wanted to be.  I was surrounded by three amazing, supportive friends who have since pushed me to follow my heart and do what I love- even if it isn’t the most conventional lifestyle.  

Photo from Liz

I went back to Springfield, for three months to help my parents in their greenhouse for the spring (I managed to only go back to Asheville one other time) and over this last week I said some of the hardest goodbyes I’ve ever said to all of my family and my friends.

After a long 12-hour-drive across 4 states, I made it into North Carolina- home.  I had this amazing feeling when I crossed the border, driving through the gorgeous mountains that I was where I belong.

Liz, Lina and Nick (who is now my roommate) were there with hugs, and lending hands to help me unload my over-stuffed car.  Nick worked really hard to create the perfect, cozy space for me and it’s already starting to come together and look like me.  Liz and Lina welcomed me with a new book about a woman following her passion (traveling), a map of Asheville, a mug from a local bookstore and an AVL sticker that we lovingly stuck on my car to welcome him to Asheville living too!

We sat on the porch and sipped champagne out of our red plastic cups (classy, I know), and it was absolutely the most perfect welcome home party!

Both photos from Liz

Today, I told Liz about my idea to start a blog about my life in Asheville, and she freaked out!  So, here it is… My Asheville Life.  I’m looking forward to sharing this beautiful city that instantly won my heart.

This photo is from Lina

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