chris and daneile: June 2010

Hi Everybody! Miss me?... Well I have sure missed all of you. Sorry it has taken so long, but I am finally here and ready to give you that sweet little taste of the place that Chris and I now get to call home. Chris and I have lived in so many amazing places, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Jose, New York (both the City and Long Island), Kansas City (Missouri), Louisiana (him), Texas (me), and of course Idaho. Besides from Idaho none has truly felt like home to us (New York was the closest), mostly this is due to the simple fact that the majority of these places were never meant to be long term and the lives that we led there were always cut short when the summer selling season came to a close. But now for the last 2 1/2 months we have been living our life together in Alabama and I can truly say that it feels so much like home to us. Maybe it's knowing that we will be here for more than a few months, but I think it goes even beyond that. Most places that we have lived we always had a period of adjustment, where we had to get used to our new surroundings. There was none of that here. We immediately felt in our hearts that this was home and we love it here. Not many people can say that they love where they live, especially when all your family and friends are in another part of the country, but Chris and I do love it here and we say it quite often to each other and to anybody else that will listen.

Here are just a few things that we love about Alabama:

You always hear about Southern hospitality and the people of Lower Alabama (or LA like the locals like to call it) have taken that phrase to heart. From strangers on the street, to the people of our ward, to my coworkers, they all have embraced Chris and I into their little tight-knit community and we have never felt so welcomed in like this before. They are a huge part of what makes this place feel like home and for that we will forever be grateful.

Most questions here are answered with a simple response of either Yes/ No Ma'am or Yes/ No Sir in a strong Southern tongue. Chris and I have quickly adapted to this (minus the Southern accent) and even in conversations just between us, have found ourselves responding with Yes Ma'am and No Sir. So don't be surprised when I talk to you and that is my answer, it has already become a habit and I love it. It's really only a matter of time before we pick up on the Southern drawl. It's just too strong here and I had it once when I was little and I have caught myself already on the verge of letting it almost slip off my tongue before I reeled it back in.

We love that we are surrounded by water. We live right on the Mobile Bay, have areas in our town that have swamp and marsh land, and are just a short 45 minute drive to the ocean. And when your not by water you are then usually in the presence of huge old oak trees. On my way to and from work I have to drive through downtown Mobile and they have oak trees lining the streets for miles that are so big that they have overtime created a canopy of sorts over the road and it is so beautiful to pass through. It is almost dreamlike.

And lets not forget the food. Oh my goodness, the food here is a little bit of heaven it is so good. Between the seafood, that is always local and fresh, to the BBQ, that is beyond words to describe, lets just say that Chris and I are always torn between where to go on our weekly date night. There is so much that we haven't even tried yet, but just give us time. We are so spoiled when it comes to the local cuisine.

I can't even begin to describe the enormous Southern style mansions that line the streets of downtown Mobile or the way french culture has influenced not only the food, but also the spelling of words like go to geaux. And honestly this list could go on and on, but I think you have gotten the point. Alabama is fantastic, and Chris and I couldn't be happier. But if you find that you would like to experience all that Alabama has to offer, just know that our doors are always open (you know... that whole Southern Hospitality thing ;).