… wait, do I really miss the South??

Is it possible that I've missed the South these last 6 years, but hadn't even realized it? Not only have I thought I don’t miss it, but I would almost say I haven’t given it a second thought since I graduated. I didn’t have a bad time down there; it was a great, wonderful experience, but after leaving U.Va. I guess I was just eager to move on to the adventure of living in NYC. Being back down here for this conference has definitely reminded me of a lot of the charming aspects it contains: space, pace (like SLOW), beauty, manners, and a focus on family. I had almost totally forgotten what life down here was like, and I’m reminded that I think I could be happy here. It’s just odd to me seeing as I love New York SO much. You’d think the two would be mutually exclusive.

While I do feel renewed warmth toward my Southern neighbors, I have to say that for the stage of life I’m in now, I am very happy to be where I am. I met a woman from the Wake Forest study site today, who, upon introducing herself and asking me my name, noted the lack of ring on my left hand and said:

“I see you’re not married.”

My reply: “It’s nice to meet you too!”

This incident is indicative of the culture down here. People here get married pretty young, make babies pretty young, and enjoy talking about their marriages and babies, and/or their kids’ babies. It’s what dominated our dinner conversation tonight! I’m just grateful for all my wonderfully unengaged and unattached friends. Yay for living in a culture where I’m not a freak cuz I’m single!