Things I'll miss about Charleston

As excited as I am about heading back up north, there are many things about Charleston that I simply will miss more than words describe.

The Basics - Obviously, I will miss the warm weather (though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to the first cold snap this year), palm trees, flip flops, fresh seafood, grits, monograms, porch parties, sweat tea [vodka], riding my bike everywhere, and wearing sundresses, just because I want.

Friends - I moved back to Charleston after living in Germany because I still had a group of friends in town from my days at the College of Charleston. While my social circle certainly has changed over the past [almost] 2 years, it's safe to say I will miss Charity, Galina, Sarah, Ashley, Elizabeth, Matt, Damien, Jeff, and everyone else who has meant so much to me during my time in town. They have shared my tears and my happiness, my frustration and my excitement and, most importantly, they have been nothing but supportive throughout the past few months, when I considered and then finally decided to return home. They all mean the world to me.

The History - When I was in college, there were far more important things to be worried about than the history of this wonderful city. When I moved back, I got a job as a concierge the John Rutledge House Inn. This, itself, has been quite the historical experience, but everything I have learned about the different homes, gardens, museums, forts, beaches, and even the restaurants. I am now even fonder of everything Charleston, Confederate (or Revolutionary, for that matter) and Rutledge.

Restaurants - Can't talk about Charleston without talking about food. I'm a foodie now and I certainly wasn't when I moved here in 2002. I didn't even eat seafood! Now, I've eaten at restaurants with James Beard Award-Winning Chefs, tried things that may have once seemed outrageous like antelope and squab, and shared some magical evenings at these different places with some amazing people. In the future, I plan to post my favorite restaurants with menu suggestions! ;-)

My Work - One of the main reasons I'm moving home is because I've spent most of my time working. I easily have worked 65 to 70 hours a week over the past year, and, as you may assume, it can be exhausting. Working in the hospitality industry has had its ups and its downs for me, but between the people I work with and the people I have met doing what I do, I have truly enjoyed [almost] every minute of it. I can only hope that I'm lucky enough to find a job, with coworkers, I will enjoy as much as I've enjoyed the ones in Charleston.

kOb