Last January, my husband decided he wanted to go to Kansas City and "look" at motorcycles. In his defense, I don't think either one of us thought we'd actually be leaving with a bike that day but...we did. Before we left the dealership that day, we were taken in to finalize the sale and while talking to the gentleman who was working with us, one of the two of us called him "sir." His reply. "Don't call me sir, that's my father." At the time, I didn't think anything of it. But then, when it happened again and he had the same reply, I found myself getting a little flustered. See, where I'm from, I was taught that calling a man or woman sir or ma'am is a sign of respect, not a sign of age.
Southern state of mind.
My family and I recently took a trip to Dauphin Island, Alabama for my mom's wedding. We'd all been anxiously counting down the days until we got to load up in the car and go (I'll be honest, I had a running countdown on my phone). Most of my excitement lied in the fact that my mom was going to have her dream wedding on the beach. But it also came from knowing that we were going to a place we'd never visited.
Dauphin Island, the sunset capital of Alabama, totals 161.7 square miles of which only 6.2 square miles are land. To gain access to Dauphin Island, you must drive three miles along the Dauphin Island Bridge. The view, I can't even describe. It was simply breathtaking.
The days spent on the island were AMAZING. My mom's Christmas present to all of us was the trip (more specifically the house we stayed in), which was built up from the water and was on it's own private beach.
We made so many memories that it'd take a week to write of all the things we got to experience. However, my favorite moments (besides my mom's wedding, OF COURSE) came on the last night evening and morning we were on the island.
Knowing that it was our last evening there, Jacob wanted to spend it soaking up the local scene. My brother Michael and his girlfriend Amanda were generous enough to watch the kids for us while we spent a few hours alone. After doing some research, Jacob came across a restaurant, JT's Sunset Grill, which is known for it's good food and amazing views of the sunset. So we loaded up on the bike and paid it a visit.
Coolest. Place. Ever.
When we told the waitress that we were interested in sitting on the deck so that we could watch the sunset, she handed us a couple of menus and showed us upstairs. There, we deliberated on what we were going to order (let me just say, I don't think you could make a wrong choice) and I finally decided on a burger and fries while Jacob ordered one of their specials, shrimp alfredo. We also ordered starters, shrimp and fried green tomatoes. After ordering our dinner, we walked into the bar area and ordered drinks. Miller Lite for him and a "Kiss on the Lips" for me, recommended by Bre, a waitress at the restaurant.
As we waited for our dinner, we sips on our drinks and chatted among ourselves. And took a selfie.. duh! But seriously, who could resist with this view?
In the midst of our outing, a pair of locals and their daughter came out on the deck and instantly introduced themselves (The Monroes) and talked to us for the rest of our time there. We talked about where they lived on the island (east end versus west end) and come to find out, they lived only about a block over from where we'd been staying all week! In fact, I'd seen their daughter (and her us) multiple times on the beach as she'd walk daily through the bird sanctuary and down the beach. We learned that Mr. Monroe was former Coast Guard and they'd moved to the island almost 19 years ago. We learned that their daughter was a school teacher in Virginia and planned on moving to the island herself after retiring in a few years. They told us all about the gas rigs that are stationed on the water and how the island was effected when Hurricane Katrina hit. We spoke of life and all it's entirety for the next couple of hours. And when it was time for us to get going, his wife says to us "wish we could have met you sooner, we could of invited you over for some drinks and food." Jacob and I got up from the picnic table which we'd been sitting at and as we walked towards the exit, the most genuine thing happened. The daughter looked at me and said, "Do you mind if I give you a hug?" I smiled immediately and replied "of course not." (I myself am a hugger). That hug was followed by one from both her mother and father. Walking away, I heard her mother said, "What a sweet couple, she (me) has the most contagious laugh and smile I have ever heard and seen."
The southern state of mind. Not knowing a stranger. Going out of your way to make others feel welcome.
The next morning, Jacob and I got ourselves out of bed at 5:30am to watch the sunrise. We rode the motorcycle down to the public beach and watched from a bench on a pier over the water. After it had risen, we decided to make our way to the Lighthouse Bakery. I'd seen great reviews on the bakery and the Monroes had raved about it to us the night before. We figured we'd better get in on it before it was too late. And I'm glad we did.
The bakery resides in a house which they converted. It has the kitchen area (where all the deliciousness is made) and a sitting area for those who choose to dine in. The lady that greeted us made sure to fill us in on all they had to offer and then asked where we were from. I'll tell you what, when we told her that we had traveled from Emporia, KS, I sure did not expect her to say, "Emporia? I've been there! I traveled to the Teacher's College in the 80's to attend a conference." Small world.
Homemade baked goods, a house latte and conversation all before 6:30 am? Southern state of mind. And p.s. their homemade pecan cinnamon rolls were the real deal.
Not that I think anyone is ever ready to leave the beach, but those last two happenings on Dauphin Island had me ready to pack my bags and head south, permanently.
I was born in North Carolina and moved to Kansas when I was three years old. After 2000, we traveled back to Carolina at least once a year to visit my Grandma. I was raised to know the following: a shopping cart is actually a buggy, a toboggan is not a sled but a hat that you wear on your head, commode is another word for toilet, every pop in the south is Coke (when they ask you what kind of Coke, you specify). Cherry lemon sundrop is the best carbonated beverage I've ever tasted. Sweet is the only way to drink tea. Cole slaw is in fact a great topping for a hot dog or hamburger. The saying "she's built like a brick shit house" is a compliment, not an insult. In the south, you get your pictures made, not taken. Over yonder is a direction. You're "full as a tick" after you've eaten a big meal. A purse is referred to as a pocketbook.
I could go on and on.
I've lived in Kansas in 26 years now and there are some things that will never leave me. I was raised southern, loud and proud. And I'm constantly scheming ways to get back east somehow, someday (Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina). With my family in tow of course.
"I could be anywhere, in my heart I'll always be there, where they drink sweet tea and raise you to be polite, No changin' who I am, that's the way I've always been, no matter what state I'm in, I'm in a southern state of mind."
