Why I Love Valdosta
Welcome to the sneaky giveaway via this vintage post. Just leave a comment below to enter to win a TRX home kit! I’ll pick the winner this Thursday night, midnight EST and announce in Friday Faves. xoxo
I know what you’re thinking. You saw the title and probably thought “What in the what? LOVE Valdosta? She couldn’t stand that place”
As you guys know, I wasn’t the biggest Valdosta fan on the planet and definitely made it known a thousand handful of times on the blog. Even though I wasn’t in love with it at first, Valdizzy now has a special place in my heart.
When we first drove into Valdosta, with the Pilot in the U-Haul towing his Jeep and Viesa, myself following him in my car with Bella, I wondered what in the world I got myself into.
It had a Wal-Mart, no Trader Joe’s for four hours, the mall had JC Penney’s and Sears instead of Dillard’s or Nordstrom, a Victoria’s Secret with the 80s style gold heart wallpaper (shopping ability is critical haha), and I was a little afraid of the unknown. Despite being in North Carolina for a couple of months with the Pilot (which I loved), I hadn’t spent much time in the South. I didn’t know any of the wives yet and was about to start a new job as a department store Area Sales Manager.
Even though I’m a very positive person in general, quite a few times I’d mention to the Pilot that I was unhappy and felt trapped in my new situation. He said to me “One day, probably after we move, you’ll think of Valdosta and miss it. We’ll have good memories here, I promise”
He was totally right.
The Pilot is so wise like that 😉
Since we’re about to find out our new assignment (any day now, please!!) I thought it would be fun to reflect on the things I really do LOVE about Valdosta.
Our condo:
(the kitchen was my fave, by far)
Dinners at 306 North, Two Friends and Charlie Trippers
Being SO close to Jacksonville and Orlando
The PEOPLE. People in Valdosta are so friendly and kind – I was very fortunate to build friendships with my clients, fellow trainer and boss at the gym
The lifelong friends I made through the squadron. The wives, now my closest friends, ended up being like family to me, especially while the Pilot was away.
Main Squeeze
The INDIAN RESTAURANT 🙂
Fresh organic fruits and veggies, harvested before our eyes at Robert’s Farm
My dentist (he never hurt me with the tooth-scraper)
All of the memories that I’ll never forget….
Legendary dinner parties, gardening, when the Pilot saved the dog, grilling together, pool days, girls nights, date nights, cuddling on the couch and watching movies…
Starting this little blog, which ended up being the most amazing, exciting, best job I could ever wish for. You’re all 100% the reason why this little space is so much fun 🙂
If I didn’t start out in Valdosta, I wouldn’t have the blog, or you guys <3
Things work out the way they’re supposed to, right?
xoxo
Gina
When was the last time a less-than-stellar situation turned out way better than you imagined??
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Love the sneaky giveaway!
Muahaha love the sneakiness!
A hidden gem! A TRX syswould be great for my squat free (by order of the PT) workouts!
Personally I picked interpretive dance but this is great too!
A sneaky giveaway!
I’d love to win this!
I love sneaky things! And I love that you chose this post since I am in the process of moving to a new place :).
Ha – fun giveaway! I have a 4 month old, and having TRX at the house would be super helpful in getting me back in tip top shape.
Fun, sneaky giveaway! Good luck on your move!!
Good luck!
sneaky giveaway? I’m down!
I am moving now too (in the next 3 weeks). Exciting opportunity, but definitely without some breathless moments. You’ve got this!
Fun!! Have fun spending time with family until your big move!
I drove through Valdosta from Memphis to Florida and it was so cute!
it’s a very cute spot!
Good luck on the move ??. Sneaky giveaways are the best!
How cool to get to experience the place all over again! I’ve moved a ton and often wonder what it would be like to go back to some of the places I’ve lived, knowing what I know now.
Is this still a sneaky giveaway? 😛
sure, i’ll do it again! 🙂
So sneaky! And this old post was a great reminder to try to look for the best in any life situation! I’ve got a lot going on at work so I’m going to try to look at the good today instead of focusing on the bad!
Sneaky, sneaky! Love it!
So clever! Love it. And I love how honest you are about moving around. My dad was in the Navy when I was growing up, so I totally understand. It’s hard at times, but the memories are priceless. 🙂
I loved looking back at this vintage post! Life is awesome 🙂
life is awesome 🙂
When I drove to Abilene, TX for the first time from Dallas – 3 hours of NOTHING – I spent the whole drive wondering WTF I had gotten myself into! It’s almost been 3 years now and I am amazed by how much I have grown because of this big move. These crazy pilots – we’ll sure do a lot to be near them 😉
haha they definitely put us through some interesting stuff. 😉 the first time we drove into valdosta i was like “where are you taking me? what is this place?”
It’s funny how life comes full circle like this sometimes!
Such a sneaky giveaway, but would be so perfect as I am a full time working mom with baby #2 due in about three months, so working out at home is pretty much my only option (no gyms in the area have childcare).
Yay sneaky giveaway! I’m so amazed with how quickly you make new places your home. I moved to a new city almost a year ago, and I’m still struggling to set up a group of friends!
Oh gosh. I was just telling my husband I wanted some TRX bands!!
LOL! I was like… wooo sneaky giveaway… but that was 2 years ago *facepalm* hahaha but loved seeing little Viesa!!
Just felt compelled to see your previous set-up in Vdizz – what a trip to be back but with a totally different lifestyle!
i will do it again!
and yes, it’s crazy how much things have changed since we were last here
love the vintage post and sneaky giveaway! 🙂
Love it <3
Yay for a sneaky giveaway!
This Is awesome! Xo
Three weeks in to SSU and going strong! Loving the workouts. Workout 1 is my favorite!
Sneaky giveaway! Was just thinking this morning about how handy it would be to have TRX equipment at home once baby is here.
Enjoyed reading both perspectives 🙂
Love a sneakyyyyyy giveaway..and love the TRX even more!!!! HEHE
Oh! I want some TRX goodies!
That Indian food tho.
Very sneaky. Would love a trx kit.
I love this sneaky giveaway!
Ah I LOVE sneaky giveaways! I’d love to win a TRX kit for my mom – she is a newly certified personal trainer and setting up an in-home gym 🙂 🙂 🙂
What a fun giveaway
Love the sneak! This AF life has us stuck in Missouri with no gym so I’d love it!
I like your style
I love sneaky giveaways!!
Love this giveaway! A TRX home kit would be perfect for my fiance and I who just moved into a new place in Tallahassee!
OG blog reader over here. Seeing you back in Valdosta reminds me of what I was doing in my own life back when I was reading these posts the first time around! Thanks for the sneaky giveaway!
Sometime the unknown can end up being the best things in life.
Omg so awesome! I only work out at home and I have always wanted to try TRX!
TRX at home would be awesome!
Very cool giveaway idea!