Southern comfort.

I forget how much I love the south — and Alabama in particular. It has a lot going for it: warm weather, beautiful scenery, lovely people, delightful accents, fried food, and my dear, sweet grandparents.

My family (minus Jill, who was closing on her new house) spent the past four days visiting my grandparents (Nana and Papa Staggs, my mom's parents) in Alabama. Nana and Papa knew my mom was coming — she's been making the trip more regularly now that they are getting a bit older and need more help around the house — but had no idea my dad, Jordan and I were coming, too. Jordan and I flew into Nashville, where we met my mom and rented a car. My grandparents were shocked to see us (it had been a few years) and even more shocked the next day when my dad appeared (he drove down after traveling to Ohio for work). But they were absolutely thrilled.

We had a great time. Most of the trip was spent eating (Jordan estimated that he ate 14 biscuits per day), but we did what we could to help them while we were there. Jordan and my dad got Papa's riding lawn mower fixed, added locks to their windows on the porch, chopped down large tree branches, pulled weeds and hauled things around my grandpa's store (he owns "Simmons Fasteners and Supply" so there are nuts and bolts galore around there). My mom and I moved boxes, dusted, ironed, mopped and set up shelves for my grandma's store — "Jean's Past and Presents." (How cute is she?) She makes purses and all kinds of crafts, and is also going to sell all the stuff she's collected in her house over the years. They thought we did too much work while we were there, and we felt like we barely made a dent. But I know our efforts meant a lot to them. The rest of the time was spent chatting, reminiscing and laughing. I felt like a kid again, watching the cows out back, exploring Nana's sewing room and eating chocolate gravy for breakfast each day.

I left yesterday with a heavy heart. I miss my grandparents already, and worry that I won't get to spend nearly enough time with them in the future. But I have already decided to go back this fall, and Nate is planning to come along, too.

I can't wait to introduce him to the place and people I love so much.