It's been six long years since I set foot on Alabama sand. Six years since we said goodbye to the life that we built there. Those of you who have been with me for awhile may remember the turmoil that ensued when we packed our bags and moved down to Fairhope, Alabama – a small town just across the bay from Mobile – right on the gulf of Mexico.
Difficult circumstances lead us to Fairhope, Alabama all those years ago. Stuart, a fresh college graduate, was desperately looking for a job at a Classical Christian school. The only offer that we received was from a small school way down South. For my Georgia-born husband, it wasn't far from “home”. But for this Washington-native, Alabama was half a world away from the town, culture, and home I'd always known.
“Will you follow me? Will you trust me?“. I remember his words clearly. In faith, through burning tears and mournful goodbyes, I followed my husband to Alabama. We settled into our fishing shack (yes, literally), thinking this town and community would be our new forever home. Over time, I adjusted to the heat and the bugs (well, sort of). I became captivated by charm of the South, the Spanish moss dangling from the oak trees, and the way this part of the world has a way of seeping into your bones. Breath in that Southern air. You'll know what I mean. T'were I better author, I would surely be able to put it into words, but it hits the heart like nostalgia and fire.
I fell deeply in love with Alabama and with its people, who loved us well.
As with many situations in life, hindsight is 20/20. I can clearly see now the way that the Lord provided and cared for us over that time away. And I can see clearly how and why He lead us back to Washington much sooner than we expected. Truth be told, I think of Alabama in many ways as the ground-zero for what become this blog and ultimately, this life. Desperate for increased income and a way to express the surplus of emotions coursing in my bones, I began writing “From Scratch” on a third-hand, barely functioning Dell desktop computer. I started that book after a traumatic birth with my second child left me healing, and sitting, for months.
In my mind, Alabama is a place of fondness, yet also of pain. I had a child away from my family. I had to learn how to fall in love with a new town and it's people. I had to endure more financial hardship than I'd ever care to again. I had to wrestle with what my place was in the world and if I was cut out to be a stay at home Mom (that shiz is hard, y'all). I had to learn how to love my husband through trials, disappointments, deep hurt, and fatigue. In many ways, our year in Alabama was the hardest year we've ever endured.
Scratch that. Our year in Alabama was the hardest we've endured.
It wasn't until Stuart's class requested him to come and speak at their senior graduation that the emotions of that period in our lives rose up again. First, the honor of them asking him to come – truly, an honor. Here was Stuart, a teacher that had been at their school for one year, who had such an impact on these young adults they wanted him to give the send off at their graduation. My heart is giddy with pride for this man I love and the gifts he has. So first, excitement! Then second… oh man…
I don't know. Tell me. What is this emotion? Trauma? Nerves? Nostalgia?
In just a few days time, we'll travel down to Alabama to revisit our friends, our neighborhood, our school, our Alabama family.
I feel so many things, I don't even know what to feel.
Truth be told, I've never been very good at looking back. I like to charge forward with the ferocity of a raging bull. The past seems to full of awkward exchanges, difficult lessons, and incomplete dreams – not exactly a place I'd like to stay for a glass of wine.
I do know, regardless of what I'm feeling, that I am thankful for the storm of that year.
And I'm thankful that the Lord brought us back here to a place we've been able to grow our family, our farm, our business, and our dreams.
I've thought about writing out a stack of “thank you” cards to our Alabama family to deliver when we arrive. Thank you, Chip, for letting us buy your amazing produce for pennies on the dollar. Thank you, Penny, for gifting us eggs when we couldn't afford any. Thank you, Kate and Matt, for watching our babies, giving us a warm bed, filling our bellies, and showering us in your friendship. Thank you, Casie and Andrew, for loving us so well and keeping us laughing through the hardship. Thank you, Lisa, for the CSA baskets of food, the motherly support during my pregnancy and birth, and the sweet friendship that ensued. Thank you, Dr. Diggman, for being our VBAC champion and gifting us with your skills. Thank you, Sarah and Amanda, for being my sounding board, dear friends, and support system as a Southern transplant and new Mom. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Howard, for loving us like we were your own children. Thank you, sixth grade parents, for keeping Stuart's belly full of Chick-Fil-A, our tank full of gas, our bags full of groceries, and our hearts full of support and love.
I can't WAIT to see you all in just a few days.
Just don't mind if I'm weeping ugly tears while I'm doing it.
It's how I process things.
And Amen.
Mitzi Pace
We cannot wait to see y’all!!!
Fonda Denney
Will you let us Southern fans know when you arrive? And if there will be a time and place to meet in person?
Tim
You guys are very brave.i also do not like to look back,not even over a glass of water.i tell my son’s today will not come again,do your best at all tasks and remember you work for and answer to the lord.blessings to you all.
Wanda Peck
That was so moving!! I moved to Washington after a stormy marriage of 17 years. It will be exciting to see old friends !!And look how far you guys have come!!
Sandy Weaver
You write beautifully. I so enjoy reading whatever you write. I saved your pilot and then had to have a Direct TV repairman and he erased it. I’ve watched it many times but it was very sad to lose it! You and your family are an inspiration. Have a wonderful trip and I’ll be anxious to read all about it.
Rachel
Looking back is difficult. It’s the road that led you to where you are today. Breathe deep, pack your oils and enjoy how far you have come. You’ve got this girlfriend!
Lisa
I hurt for you every time you momentarily relive the year in Fairhope on a blog or instagram post. Just as Stewart made an impact you did as well. We southerners needed a good dose of Shaye’s tenacity and healthy lifestyle. We needed to see how to feed ourselves well. (We needed that cookbook that was born out of this time of hardship) You made it work but I’m grateful the Lord moved you on to greener pastures. We lament that our schools that teach our covenant children don’t pay our teachers better. We need men in the classrooms but if they can’t care for their family because the pay is so low how will we ever make it work? May the Lord continue to bless you and Stewart as you continue teaching others what a healthy lifestyle looks like. Carry on with that Shaye Elliot tenacity!! Xoxo
Lin
You were in Alabama when I found or was given the link to your blog. Oh how the Lord has moved in your life. Evidence that He truly does go before us. I read your blog before realizing that homesteading was what the Lord had called our family to. I remember reading your blog and dreaming with you. As time progressed and the Lord put his desire in my heart, I yearned for fresh, raw milk. I cooked your recipes, I read through the birth of your children and dreamed right along side of you, forwarded your writings to stay at home moms who were expressing the exact sentiments you were talking about. I am thankful for what the Lord did with and through you in Alabama. What a blessing your blog has been to me. What a comfort it has been to so many.
Cindy Messinger
These seniors never forgot their favorite teacher. We are all so thrilled that you are coming to see them off!
Kate
Hold on, how did I not know you were in Fairhope? I lived in Daphne from 08-15 and came over frequently. We’ve now moved back to more northerly climes after never really fully adapting to the… everything of down there but also have fond memories of our time devoted the difficulties. I didn’t have Dr. Diggman for my babies but a different doctor in his building. I’m so sorry to hear that your birth experience was traumatic but I’m glad he was supportive of you <3
Jessica
I feel this. I’m in that time of transition, with 2 littles, and figuring out who I am now. I get those feelings for sure. However, I think you made it out ok.
Mary Donald George
We are a Fairhope family and we go to the school you are referencing in your writing. I just happened to stumble upon you. What Fun!!! God Bless You and Yours!
Deborah
I’m late getting on your blog but really enjoy your writing so happy how it all turned out God takes care of us I believe in hard times keep on inspiring us Shaye