Where are you from?

Yesterday, on one of the blogs I read, Britt from The Magnolia Pair wrote about being a Southern girl. It was funny because I was just talking to someone the other day about being from Maine and how proud we both are of being from this state. Now that I've started blogging and reading other blogs, it reminds me that not everyone knows and loves Maine the way I do.

See, there was a time in my life where I hated having to tell people I was from Maine. That time being college...and a few years while I lived in New York. I hated having to explain that yes, we have electricity and yes, I've seen television before, and no, I don't live in the middle of a forest.

And let's face it. Saying you're from Maine doesn't exactly give you much street cred.

It wasn't until I was a little bit older that I realized I'm pretty lucky to say I grew up in a state as beautiful as Maine.

Nothing better than beaches for miles...

It took me moving far away and spending 10 years away from home to realize that no matter where I lived, when I said home, I always meant Maine. I don't regret the years I spent in New York City. I found myself in New York City. I figured out who I was and who I really wasn't. I met my LoLo there. And then I brought him home.

Whenever my friends from New York come to Maine, they are surprised by how much history I know about my state and about the places I take them (shout outs to my second grade production of Maine-ly Mother Moose for the history lesson).   Imagine about 40 second graders singing this little gem.   I love bringing my friends around and showing Maine off to them. Wherever I go, if I meet someone from Maine, they are always so proud of where they are from.

You know what they say about men with big feet....they have HUGE boots!

I am proud to say I'm from a state with more coast line than California (hard to believe, right?), the home state of L.L. Bean, a state with hardworking lobstermen who catch delicious lobster, a state that has an ice cream boat out on a beautiful lake.

Thanks for the pic, Yuyin!

You know, like an ice cream truck. Complete with music!

Now that I've come home, I am happy to say that I know I made the right decision. It may have taken me a long time, but I've finally figured out where I want to be.