Why Arkansas

Dear Everyone not in Arizona (or whoever is reading this),

I started this blog not long after I moved to Arkansas. I started it because 99.9% of my friends and family are far across the country and I miss them terribly. I wanted a way to keep them informed of what wonderful things I am doing, what sad things are happening, and in general, how my life is in Arkansas.

I'm sure you are wondering why on earth I would move to Arkansas. Allow me to explain:

I grew up in the desert desert of Arizona. Cactus, dirt... more cactus and more dirt. When I was 4, I was in preschool with a girl named Kimber. Kimber and I were best friends until she moved to another school and I was so sad. A couple years later, Kimber showed up in primary class at church. We were reunited and it was as though we had never parted. Best friends all over again. Until she moved. Far away. I didn't even know where.

But growing up, during the summer, I would get a phone call... from Kimber... who was in town visiting her gramma. And so we kept in touch, had play dates and sleep overs.

When we were old enough to have our own email address, things got a little different. We would email each other the latest drama in our lives. The cutest boy, that snottiest girl, the flirting, the high school fights, everything! Every month I would get to read a literal novel from her. It was the greatest!

Eventually, I got a job. And with that job, I earned money. And with that money, I bought a plane ticket to visit my best friend in Arkansas (I finally found out where she moved to). It was a wonderful spring break! Full of grassy fields, flowers, Hot Springs, Devil's Den, possum hunting, Miss Laura's Whore House, and good southern home cooking. I loved it and couldn't wait to go back!

So I did! The following January, I returned for a week and got to experience the redneck life style of four wheeling. It was a blind date actually... Kimber trying to give me a reason to move to Arkansas. He was not my type... I was not interested. And let's be real, it was my first time on a four wheeler... with a stranger.. but I was clinging to him for dear life. It was awkward. Not the best way to experience a first impression. In any case, Brock and I became friends. That is all. I told Kimber she was crazy and it would never happen.

But what did happen was that I came out again the next summer (are you starting to see a trend?). We planned a vacation with a bunch of friends, including Kimber's sister, boyfriend (and my bestie!) Cameron, and Brock. Of course. Well I knew Kimber and Cameron would tease me the whole time and encourage to grow a feeling or two for Brock.... so I figured, what the heck?! It's summer. I'm on vacation. I'm going home eventually... what can some flirting hurt?

Well flirting led to a date, which lead to another, which lead to love. Bam bam bam. By the end of our trip we were inseparable. And by the end of my trip to Arkansas, I had decided he was the one. We planned for him to come visit me a month later, to meet the family and decide if this was it or not. It was.He proposed and flew home. Baah! Talk about a heartache. Luckily, we're fast movers and got married in November. And then we moved to Arkansas.

The End.

Ok not really. But that is the long and short of it. I love Brock, I love Arkansas. And so here I am. And here is this blog. And here you are reading it. It all just makes sense. And so on that note, I bid you Adieu.

Love, Arkansas