SCENES // GEORGIA, SWEET GEORGIA.

Georgia.

Sticky summers, sweet tea, thick accents, rap music, fried food, family, big porches, cheesy grits, cowboy boots, football, Jesus....  these things define my childhood.

Georgia is in me, the same way places take up root in our hearts without us even knowing about it.  the funny thing is, for one of the first times Georgia doesn't feel like my "home" anymore.  Sure, sweet friends and memories reside there but home truly feels like Michigan these days.  And I suppose when you get married, home becomes wherever your spouse is (or in my case, your spouse + the cutest fur babe in all the land).

I had the best time though, hanging out in my old hometown.  I got to shoot a wedding with a friend who I have known since sixth grade.  One thing I always loved about Shauna was how kind she was, through middle and high school. I would never consider myself very popular, and sometimes some of the girls were not the nicest to me---never really included me (which is hilarious because some of those same girls act like we are great friends now....) however, Shauna was always so kind and didn't make me feel like a huge loser. If only I had the confidence I have now back then I wonder how different things might have been, but I also count my blessings because I think if I would have been more "popular" I probably would have gotten myself into much more trouble than I did!   Anyways, thankful for her sweet, kind, genuine heart.  And also because she pushed me to shoot in manual.  And I did the rest of my trip and I am loving the results.  Who knew it was so easy once you have the basic concepts down?!

I also got to hang out with my best friend Brendon.  Brendon almost wore a dress and stood in my wedding for me, I kid you not.  He is one of those one in a million friends that I will always, always have.  I took some photos of him this weekend, which I will share with you here later.  He IS single ladies, and he is a christian and just one of the sweetest guys you will ever meet.  Jonathan and I just love him to death. (And his grandparents, who fed me until I was about to burst at the seams).

I got my fill of Chik-fil-a and sweet tea, big southern breakfasts and humidity too.  I drove around and visited the homes I had lived in and the schools I went to, the places I frequented and ones that were brand new to me.  The city of Newnan is the same, yet so different and I think that is how it goes when you leave a place and come back to it after so long.  You belong there, yet you don't belong there at all anymore.

I also got to see this spicy number in Atlanta.  I am not joking with you guys, Ashley is one of the SWEETEST girls I have ever met and I am just so thankful that she is my friend.  She is another one of those life long friends, who I can e-mail or call up after not talking to in forever and I just know she would be there and do whatever she could for me.  And I love her for that.

Today I am back home, cuddling my sweet peanut Bella, drinking coffee and taking a breather.  Tomorrow is my 2nd wedding anniversary.  Two whole years. Whew, time flies when you are traveling the country I suppose!  And when you are married to your best friend, one who tests your patience, makes you grow as a person and holds your hand when no one else will....  I am a blessed girl.

-a

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