Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Show & Tell Tuesday: My Hometown



Lauren, blogging on a Tuesday? It can't be! Oh but it is, my friends! I've been on a blogging roll this week and why jump off the train? I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to share a little about my hometown, the town that raised me, and link up with Andrea for Show & Tell Tuesday!


So at the beginning of my blogging life I blogged about my move and what brought me to Charlotte but I never went into depth about my hometown of Irmo. Oh yes, my hometown has such a beautiful name...Irmo. Sigh. But before I get ahead of myself a little bit of background on where I grew up.

So I technically wasn't born in Irmo, I was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. My parents built a beautiful home there and planned to have roots in Raleigh forever until life had different plans. When I was 4 years old we packed up and moved to Irmo for my Dad's job. I don't have any photo albums in Charlotte with me so I have to work with what I have via Facebook, but this is a picture of 3 year old (sassy) me and my cousins on the front steps of my Raleigh home...


I cannot get over my sassy stank face or that dress haha! In case you're confused I'm the one on the right ;) There's very little I remember about our time in Raleigh, which is why Irmo will always be home to me. Irmo is a suburb that is right outside of Columbia, SC. There's not much there other than neighborhoods, a mall, chain restaurants, and lots of schools. It is a popular area for people to live who commute to Columbia for work. Irmo is admittedly a horrible name. It originated from the two city founders first two letters of their last names combined. Irmo sounds like a hick town but it really isn't haha!

After only a couple of months of living in Irmo, I started elementary school and quickly became acclimated to a new city.



Here's a picture my Mom snapped of me getting off the bus...


My neighborhood was up and coming and full of young families with kids my age. It was an incredible place to grow up because you always had a friend to play with. We always had a ton of fun! P.S. I'm the stinker on the right.


It's crazy to me because even after all these years I still stay in touch with my friends from my neighborhood in Irmo even though we all split in our different directions...Charleston, San Diego, Charlotte, etc. 

As I grew up and went on to middle and high school I started to make friends outside of my neighborhood. I think when I look back at my years in Irmo the memories that will stick out to me will be Friday night high school football games...



...spirit week...


...just goofing off with my friends...



...school dances...




...being a nanny...




...and graduation.


I think a common thread of all of this is that in the end, my hometown really isn't a particular place, it's where I have all my memories. My hometown is truly when I'm with my friends and family. It sounds cheesy but it is so true. I didn't have this realization till after I graduated college. What I missed the most about going home was being with the people I love, not the geographical location. And here I am now, typing this in Charlotte, North Carolina. I would've never expected this but alas life always has a way of surprising us. Will Charlotte become my new hometown? You know, I'm not sure. I would love to dig my roots in deeper but I can't do that yet, I have a lot to figure out first. In the mean time, I'm loving Charlotte and taking it one day at a time!


Well, there ya have it, a little bit about the towns that raised me! Not to mention, a lot of not so cute pictures of Lauren growing up haha! I hope y'all have a terrific Tuesday and see you back here tomorrow for Workout Wednesday! xo
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15 comments:

  1. I love Charlotte, but I am with you! It's not always the place but the memories, too :)

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    1. It's crazy how your mindset changes as you get older!! Thanks for stopping by, Caitlin!

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  2. So many cute pics esp you as a kid! Sounds like you had an awesome childhood. I always love going home to see my old friends and social media and technology makes it so much easier to keep in touch! Thank goodness.

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    1. Haha I was a stinker that's for sure! I can't complain about my childhood, I am blessed. Technology is a curse and a blessing but it's great for staying in touch! Thanks for all the love, Julie!

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  3. I visited Charlotte about 10 years ago, such a cool city!

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    1. Ahhh how cool! It's such a great city and I learn something new about it everyday. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  4. I love all the old picture!!! You still look the same ;) But so do I! I love hometowns! And I really want to visit Charlotte!

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    1. Eek I made sure to pick the pictures that weren't HORRIBLE aka middle school hahaha I look back at pictures and sigh because I need so much help haha But omg please come visit Charlotte!

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  5. I've always wanted to visit North Carolina & South Carolina! I've only seen pictures & it looks so pretty there! And I totally agree about the memories too.. I wouldn't consider the town I went to college in a hometown but I have so many fun memories from college that I love going back there to visit sometimes.

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    1. You definitely should visit! There is so much to do...tons of beaches, Charleston, mountains, cities, sports teams, etc! You won't be disappointed!

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  6. We lived in Irmo my Sophomore year of high school. 1980! What neat area!

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    1. Wow that's incredible! What a small world! Thanks for reading, Kim!

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