Carolina Hospitality
Over the years I’ve learned there is a big difference between going on vacation and traveling. When I tell people, “I like to travel,” I don’t really mean I like to go sit on a beach and tan. Okay well I probably wouldn’t turn down a chance to do just that - but when I say I like to travel I really mean that I like to experience the lives that are lived in other places.
The best parts about my travels often are the people I stay with, the people who show me around their small towns, and that open their homes for a meal or shower. I once did a road trip from my house in Washington to Texas. Over the course of 9 nights, we spent at least half with strangers turned friends who opened their homes to us. Now when I look back on my time spent in Missoula, MT, I think of the couple who is building a beautiful property with a gorgeous mountain backdrop. When I think of Dallas, Texas, I think of the family that brought me to their favorite barbecue restaurant, paid for my meal, and gave me $100 for graduating high school. I once took the Amtrak from Washington, D.C. to Lynchburg, VA where a woman I had never met let me and my friends into her and her husbands home for campfire stories and smores. That is why I love traveling. There are people peppered all over our planet that want to share their simple and glorious lives with whoever wants to be let in. I think that is so cool.
Each one of these people holds a special place in my heart, but today I want to focus on a specific home and it’s people. If you remember my last post, I recently took a trip to South Carolina. I stayed in a hotel in Charleston, but I also spent 3 nights split up in Charlotte, North Carolina. One of my friends grew up in Charlotte, so we decided to crash at her parents house for this trip.
These people are the epitome of hospitable. We arrived to their home the first night at 1am. Her mom was waiting at the kitchen table for us, excited to hear about our drive and eager to give us a house tour. I had never met her, but that didn’t stop her from embracing all five of us immediately. I went to bed feeling like I had stumbled into one of the most comfortable and warm spaces I had been in quite some time.
The next morning we were off to Charleston, but before we left there was breakfast on the counter and coffee in the fridge. We were offered water bottles and help with our bags. Her dad packed the car perfectly, telling jokes and filling the morning with the same warm feeling I felt the night before. This is a special place. The love of Christ radiates off of my friends parents and surrounds their home like a tight hug.
We came back to Charlotte on our way home from Charleston. This time we got to spend 2 nights and 1 day actually visiting and seeing the town. Our last night there was the most special night of the trip. Her dad and mom prepared the most delicious meal that we got to eat on their back deck in the Carolina sun. I had been craving a hot dog for a few days… so of course when I was offered the option of a burger or dog, I chose the latter. There was corn on the cob and sides upon sides. Everything was exactly how you picture a backyard barbecue to be.
Cliché alert: As much as the food was great, it was really the people who made the time so special. We spent our dinner laughing and retelling stories that probably aren’t that funny but we got a kick out of. I got to know her sister who is covered in the joy of the Lord and honestly is just so cool. I walked in the backyard barefoot, felt the grass between my toes, stared up at the trees in the sky. We watched videos on their screen-in porch as the sun began to set. It was a perfect evening.
Part of the reason I cherish my travels so much is that it feels so good to get out of the population dense city and breathe fresh air. But I hope this story shows that the true value comes from the people you meet along the way. I’m not sure the characters of this story will ever read this post, but if they do, I just want to say thank you for opening your home. It is beautiful - not just because you have great taste in decor, but because you’ve raised your family so well. Sending you a virtual hug until I get to visit again.
I am so thankful I’ve been blessed with the desire to go out and see so many parts of this world — and to be okay going into a strangers home when they open their door. I hope to see Charlotte again soon, because to be honest, nothing beats Carolina hospitality.
