My first visit to North Carolina was in 1982 to meet my husband, Paul’s extended family, We were recently engaged and he wanted me to spend the holiday with his family in North Carolina. I fell in love with its charm and beauty. It was Christmas at his Grandparents’ home in Cary, NC. Something about the Southern style of homes, the pine straw everywhere and perhaps seeing the small community for the first time all decorated for Christmas, really made an impression. Candles lit in every window and a simple wreath with a red bow transformed the country style home to elegance. On Christmas Eve, luminaries made from white paper bags, a bit of sand and a small votive candle, line the streets and create the most beautiful garland of light joining each home to the next like a strand of pearls. This is the beauty that draws my heart to North Carolina.

It also helped that I was welcomed into Paul’s family with open arms. We arrived at his grandparents home and I was greeted by his grandmother at the front door. She hugged me and with her sweet Southern drawl, welcomed me in, all the while apologizing for her small foyer and the ensuing attention I would be receiving as I made my way through the lineup of aunts, uncles and cousins waiting for hugs and “we’ve heard so much about you” greetings. To be welcomed into a family with that amount of love and care also reinforced what I already knew about my fianće, Paul. He was admired so much by his family and he was the one for me.

Through the years I have found a great interest in genealogy and tracing our roots. Paul has a very long lineage of North Carolina ancestry. His maternal grandparents came from Raleigh and Chocowinity and his paternal grandparents spent many years working in the mills of Charlotte, Gastonia and Shelby. His mother was born in Wake County and his father in Paw Creek. Paul and his twin brother were born at the UNC hospital in Chapel Hill. Paul’s mother has lived in Cary most of her growing up years and returned in 1991 when Paul’s father passed away. This past year, she has moved to Hendersonville to live with Paul’s brother and his wife.

Forty years have passed since that Christmas and we are finally coming home to North Carolina. No years have been wasted. I wouldn’t give up the path we have chosen to get here. The friends and experiences we have kindled along the way have enriched our lives and nurtured growth in ways we couldn’t have planned. Now as we look to our future and build our home in Hendersonville, our hope is to come full circle with family and friends and rekindle the warmth I felt on my first visit.