It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since we moved to South Carolina, but Facebook Memories assures me that’s true, by showing me pictures of boxes and bubble wrap. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure we’d still be here in 2019. I’ve learned a lot in that time, about myself and about others.

It’s not easy to move. This was the first move we’ve made that didn’t have a built-in network of military families, and it took a while to find my footing here. We lived in Connecticut for 12 years, the longest we’ve lived anywhere together. It was hard to leave, and I found out whom my friends are. Whom? Who? Even I, the self-professed grammar perfectionist, have trouble with that one, lol.

But I’ve found myself. Maybe that would have happened if we stayed in Connecticut, maybe not. I stumbled into a job I enjoy, and I’ve developed a pretty decent resume. I’ve figured out what matters to me. I know the trend is that people tend to become more conservatives as they age. That’s not me, lol. And you know what? I won’t apologize for that. We landed in possibly the only part of South Carolina where I won’t suffocate, although I’m not convinced I can do the long haul here.

South Carolina doesn’t give a damn about its residents. That’s not opinion, that’s fact. This state has consistently demonstrated that. Everything from trying to force Planned Parenthood out, to refusing to expand healthcare options for people, to being so proud of the lack of regulations on businesses here that power companies are allowed to bilk customers out of billions (yes, BILLIONS) of dollars. Hell, they don’t even have lights on interstates here. The junction of I-95 and I-26 has no lights. Hello, major interstate? Might help people navigate safely if it had a few lights. But no, they’d rather blame the trees for car accidents. So I don’t know how long I can last in a state like this. We’ll see.

On the other hand, South Carolina has its moments. For a state that’s the butt of all jokes with education, I really think my kids have gotten a much more well-rounded education than they could have gotten in Connecticut. The options in high school in this district are amazing. Dance, photography, culinary arts, foreign languages, forensic science… those were never options in the Dark Ages when I was in high school. Yes, I’m a little jealous.

Sunsets here are stunning. I’m not sure why, not sure what makes this particular latitude and longitude so special, but sunsets are beautiful here. I adore the winters here. It’s February, and yesterday, it was 80 degrees. We have leaves on some trees, and dogwoods are starting to bloom. I’m not meant to be cold. Yes, they have no idea what to do with ice and snow here, but that doesn’t happen often. The beaches make me smile, especially since the water gets so warm. In New England, they pretend the ocean water is warm at 70 degrees, which, just between you and me, is still wet-suit temperature. Here, it hits a toasty 85 degrees or so.

Bloom where you’re planted. It’s something I try to adhere to, although admittedly, it’s sometimes difficult.