Today’s post was written by Corie.
As I prepare to be married in the coming months, I have thought a lot about my years of growing up with my family.
Honestly leaving the only home I have ever known makes me feel quite unsteady.
I think back to all the meals prepared in my home.
All the stories told and laughter shared.
I wonder if I have what it takes to be without my parents, if I have enough wisdom to make all the decisions I will need to make. But, then I think about all the things that I have learned, maybe without even realizing it.
How to cook wholesome meals. How to clean and even how to can green beans. Then of course all the other life living lessons on patience and wisdom and always being thankful.
Once I remind myself of the growth I’ve enjoyed since first being born into this family, I realize I have a lot to bring to my new home and I don’t feel so shaky.
Corie
Going maad in Kansas
Move on in the strength gained from your wonderful family. I am guessing your new house is still pretty close to where you grew up and to your family. Like so many young women before you from Appalachia setting out on a new journey, continue to find your strength in the Lord first, your family second, your background and education, and of course in you soon-to-husband. Build on all of your strengths. You will do fine!
You will do just fine. Everyone feels the same way before a major life change. You will still have emotional support from your family.
Corie, everyone feels that way. My mom used to say “don’t borrow trouble”. Yes you will miss your family but you will be surprised at how wonderful a good marriage can be. ❤️
Corie,
My guess is that you have heard the old saying that you are a chip off the ole block. Here’s one that you might not be familiar with that my daughter told colleagues when they told her she was a chip off the ole block, meaning me. She said no, but I am a feather off the ole bird. You are a feather off the “ole birds” and am am sure you will do fine as a spouse.
You have my best wishes for a marriage filled with happiness and achievements.
Sanford
Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.
John 15:4
Everyone is apprehensive about the big life steps. Someone told me they could see my dress shaking at the altar. I think you will be a wonderful wife. And you still have the “old” ones to turn to if you need help or advice.
You will love furnishing your new home with your sweetie! Decorating your own home with the things you love is a pleasure…..feather your nest! Best wishes!
Corie, I don’t think you are going to have any problems. You have had great role models and I know you have watched and learned , and did through the years. I wish you all the happiest. You are gonna be fine.
I think all brides feel shaky and nervous, as I felt the same way. I’m very happy for you and Austin. You’ve been raised well and you know how to do so many things.
Corie; I would suggest that your feelings are pretty normal for the situation you are facing. The best way to deal with them, in my experience, is to give them a voice as you have done in your touching and beautiful letter.
And now, in the words of Wavy Gravy, “Onward to the next fun thing!”
Sincerely, Hank Skewis
Hi Corie, I just read the comments concerning shaky. And the one from Kat talking about the Washington D.C. beltway took me right back to my young age when we moved to the DC metro area, talk about culture shock ! My graduating high school class had more students than did the whole county that I was from in West Virginia. Corie you will have many unknown challenges in your new journey, but you also have the character to walk with Austin and overcome these challenges. May God bless both of you, Amen.
Your mom and dad have given you the pattern, and with that you have examples and good role models. Being jittery is just part of a quick mind’s reaction to something new and different. In college that was always what made me prepare better for big exams. You will be fine!
Congratulations Corie !!!!! may God bless you and your young man always
Dear Corie. You’ll do very well in sharing your future with Austin and perhaps your children together. And I would encourage you to embrace your case of jitters. I believe that having the jitters before such a big event is a sign of the respect and thoughtfulness that you have for your new venture even before it begins. Think of it like this…even the most successful racehorse starts out on wobbly legs.
You are a very wise young lady. Most of life is just winging your way through it. By that I mean – none of us can plan anything down to the last detail. Sometimes our days go perfectly. But most days, more than likely there is always something that messes up our best laid plans at least once during the day. And then there are those days you just want to hide in bed. The only instruction book we get with life is the Bible. And you are so firm in your walk with Christ – you are going to be able to handle anything. I believe in your ability to do that. All of us learn something new most everyday. We can never be old enough to know everything. Life is really a fun adventure. It would be so very boring if our days went smoothly all the time. The downs in life help us to grow upwards. People who don’t step out of their comfort zones in their younger days, remain emotionally immature when in their 50s and older. You have already stepped out of your comfort zone and experienced having to make scary decisions, and you have been very successful in getting through things, like being onstage in front of a crowd. And, now you have Austin to share the good and the bad times with. When you are married – you will be as one, you will always have each other. You already know you aren’t alone because you have Jesus with you at all times. And God has given you Austin to walk through the rest of your life with. I am so happy for you! Treat everyday as a great part of your journey, enjoy every minute. And as hard as bad times can be, treat them as a learning experience, for they will be a part of the fabric of your life, too. And believe it or not, the hard times can be good memories later. You are going to do excellent. You have the skills you need to live each day, and you will conquer the challenges we all get thrown at us. And someday, your daughter is going to look at you as the smartest woman alive and wonder how she is going to survive on her own, too!
Donna. : )
That is the sweetest letter and I know your mom and dad are just beaming with love reading it. Keep your eyes upon the Lord, keep God first in all that you do and He will continue to bless your life and your upcoming marriage.
When I left Appalachia almost 50 years ago, I was moving over 400 miles across Virginia to live near the Atlantic. …where there were no mountains to set my eyes on ..to find strength in. BUT, with me was not only a few good cast iron skillets, but I also had a strong sense of who I was, of where I came from….THIS was what has served me so well all these years.
We baby boomers have always had that overconfidence….that we could take on the world and do fine. I think our mountain people are even better off , we take that Appalachian spirit with us .
My mamaw used to tell a story we callef…how grandpa Johnny fit the wildcat and won. One day I was on the D.C. beltway in rush hour traffic and I remembered that tale. I came from folks that KNEW how to handle ANY adversity.
So do you….remember that ALWAYS….
Now fly…..
Just your ability to share what is on your heart shows the goodness in you and yes you can do it. Austin is very blessed to have found a young lady like you. Stand firm in your faith and keep God as the head of your family and you will be fine.
But don’t forget to call Mama with any question. She’ll love it!
Dear Corie, I know you will be just fine. I remember how shaky it all feels, and it can become so overwhelming. But, the thing to remember is – you still have your dear parents and Katie and your home will still be there to return to and visit as often as you want to. None of that is going away. And you will be with the man you love more than life. He will help steady you when it all comes in on you and you feel lost and displaced. He is probably feeling it, too. And most important of all, God will still be God. He is with you wherever you go. He will never leave you nor forsake you, and when you feel those feelings of homesickness and sense of loss of what used to be, you can pray and cry out to Him. “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27 I am praying for you, sweet friend, and I am here if you ever need to talk/email. May the Lord bless you and Austin as you prepare for your wedding and in all the years to come. And may He comfort you, too, Tipper, as you prepare to see your dear girl leave home. I can only imagine how hard this is for you and the deer hunter and Katie. May God hold all of you close during and after this transition. Sending love and hugs to all of you today.
Corie, you are a special, precious young lady in every way. I really cannot add to all the above comments , except to add an AMEN. I am so happy to get to tell you how you blessed me with your “devotional” the other day. It was right on & just what was needed to pass on to one of my daughters. Thank you…you & your family SHINE.
You will do beyond commonly well. It is entirely natural to have jitters with any big change in life. None of us ever outgrow it, only differ in degree. As other previous commenters have noted, you have the best and the most preparation to be desired or needed. Just your considering your ability to meet the changes bodes well. In addituon, you are surrounded and supported by a host of folks who !ove you and will be eager to give you two any help you need.
You and Austen will be lovingly crafting your own home. It will not be, nor should it be, a carbon copy of anybody else’s. Your home will be somewhat different but in a good way. And it will take a lifetime, yet each of you will still always have the ability to surprise each other from time to time.
You have a wonderful foundation and are truly blessed. Keep your eyes on God and remember all your upbringing and you will have a joyful marriage. Congratulations and God bless you both
Corie, dear young lady, I will tell you EXACTLY what I tell all younguns preparing for college, a life adventure, etc. If you’re not shaky and a bit scared, you’re not going to make it! Every big decision in my life has been shaky, frightening and a bit scary. I think you’ll be a fine wife and homesteader because you’ve been raised correctly and have a good idea and a fair idea of what marriage is all about. Be kind and forgiving to yourself because nobody is perfect. The biggest thing I can recommend is establish a GODLY, Christ centered home and He will help you in EVERY way. If I may be so bold, here is 1 Corinthians ALL OF CHAPTER 13. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. When I was a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man ( woman) I put childish ways behind me.” God bless you in your marriage, dear. I hope your marriage is a very happy one!
The wonderful home you grew up in is the best possible preparation for marriage.
You are supremely blessed, my dear, and also blessed that your new home won’t
be far away.
I think you have a very stable foundation to stand on when you are on your own away from your family. It’s probably a lot more secure than most people your age. From my experience it doesn’t matter how much experience, education nor training you have but it’s how you choose to deal with what life throws your way. More than anything, it’s how you react to the downside of life that shows what you are really made of. I expect your family is going to be really proud of you. You have a different experience but the same foundation your ancestors had. I think Austin is a very fortunate young man to have found you. I wish you the best in life.
You will have a blessed home like your momma’s.
A Christian Marriage is like a triangle. . You in one corner and your husband in the other corner, with Jesus at the top. If Jesus is always at the top and you are looking to Him. You will be able to have a wonderful marriage and peaceful home.
Congratulations Corie!!!❤️
Well spoken Corie, and the answer is most definitely yes! You come from a long line of people with grit and you are no exception. You’ve had a good solid bringing up and you have the grit in you to face anything you need to plus the joy to live and love life…I promise!