Bloom Where You're Planted- Sweet Home Alabama!

Happy hump day, everyone! It’s official! I guess you can say I am an Alabamian again! All I have to do now is start learning how to say “Roll Tide!” Yea right, I am only kidding. Even though I lived in Alabama for 17 years before we moved to Baton Rouge in 2009, I do not think yelling “Roll Tide” will be a trait I pick up on so quickly. My Husband did convince me to marry him and move back home to my roots; however I will draw a fine line between being a Tiger Fan in Saban Nation. As of early this morning Tony and I are officially finished with making our marriage/move to Birmingham/transition into adulthood complete. And, I am just going to say, IT FEELS FANTASTIC TO BE HOME!!! I may have been born in Louisiana to Louisiana native parents, but my roots are and always will be in Alabama.  I loved Alabama when my family first moved here in 1993. As a child, I always dreamed of what it would be like to live in Louisiana, and I actually had the opportunity to experience Bayou life for three years at LSU. Honestly, Louisiana living just did not compare to Sweet Home Alabama! I may be a Tiger fan, but I am a total Bama girl at heart.

So, this morning as we were standing in line at the Shelby County License Office waiting our turn many thoughts were running through my mind-

"...Oh my word, it is already August 1. Where does time go?" "...Once we sign this little sheet of paper for our title transfers and vehicle registrations, we are completely on our own as adults!?" "…Is this real? This certainly isn’t a weekend visit, Kalyn. I am home for good!" "…It’s time to bloom where I’m planted!”

Although being an adult, paying OUR bills, doing OUR grocery shopping, making OUR house a home, and going to school and work each day is a bit scary to think about at times, our families have been so helpful to get us to this point in our lives. Each step of the way they have explained the process of establishing car insurance, 401K, and how to make healthy choices when cooking certain recipes. Although our parents will always be our parents and they will be there whenever we need them, Tony and I are offically completely responsible for everything we own and are officially on OUR own. BIG THOUGHT. BIG STEP. It feels as though we have taken baby steps into this new chapter of life each step of the way thus far. However, the last step we took this morning feels HUGE. (Almost like we completed a chapter successfully... I am not sure if I am feeling relief or shock that this point in life is finally here?) But, whatever it is, I do know we have jumped into the deep end full force and Tony and I are ready to tackle life head on.

Regardless of adult transitions, that last thought is what has captivated me the most. “Bloom where you are planted.” (1 Corinthians 7:17-24) I have seen this quote many times before on plaques, cards, signs and more. I have always loved it and been especially challenged by it in the last few weeks to grow where I am planted. I think that growing has a very conscious element to it. We have the ability to choose to enjoy the here and now, to grow in relationships, delight in our circumstances and grow in our faith... or the counter of these, to be a hermit, to wallow in doubt or pity and to be complacent in our relationship with others and with Christ.

I am home. I made it back to my Alabama roots. My Husband and I have finished rooting our marriage in this new chapter of life and love. Even though some parts of our future are not exactly figured out just yet, I want to grow, right where I am at, in this very moment and within these exact circumstances. I am so thankful for the life I live, all of it… the figured out parts and the not yet clear parts. I am ready to bloom where I am planted! Are you?