Home Sweet Oklahoma

When asked where I’m from, my response is immediate. Oklahoma. I wasn’t born here. I didn’t grow up here. I’ve lived less than one quarter of my entire life here. Truth be told, I didn’t even want to move here, but now it’s my home. And I’m showing my Oklahoma pride with my Oklahoma State Bar Pendant, a new design from Cents of Style.

It’s home because this is the one place I’ve lived the longest. My husband and I started our life together here. This is where I’ve struggled through some hard places that make up my story (but that’s another necklace). I’ve watched my children grow up in this state. In many ways, I’ve grown up here.

As a kid, we moved alot. I attended five elementary, two middle and three high schools. The longest I ever lived in one place was two and a half years. Moving around equipped me with super power adapting skills, but it didn’t leave much room for learning to put down roots. So during the early years of my adult life, I followed the same nomadic pattern. Until Oklahoma. I’ve been here twelve years (in 2016). Twelve. Years.

About a year after I moved to Oklahoma, my husband and I said “I do” and went about the business of blending a family with five kids at home and one already grown. All I know about marriage – all the successes and the failures, the heartache and joy – has been experienced in this state.

My family has struggled and striven together in this state. Through the trauma of broken homes and blended family. Through the confidence of unconditional love and new beginnings. The journey has been uphill and hard and many times we felt like quitting. The blessings have been many, we’ve become stronger and God has never left our side.

When we started this journey my kids were all tiny; now they’re almost grown. Five teenagers in high school. I’ve watched them all grow up here. I’ve watched them learn, experience, laugh, cry and grow. So far they’ve lived the majority of their lives in one place…..Oklahoma.