Yesterday marked a very bittersweet day for me. Since I’ve been living in Illinois for about 3 months I finally made a trip to the DMV to get my driver’s license updated from to an Illinois license. While a little plastic card does not change my home state or the wonderful times that I’ve had in Michigan, it does make my out-of-Michigan residency official.

Some facts about my home state…

• Michigan has more than 3,000 miles of shoreline—that’s longer than the distance from Maine to Florida.
• Michigan is home to 116 lighthouses, more then any other state.
• The first soda pop made in the U.S., Vernor’s ginger ale, was created by accident in 1866 in Detroit.
• Michigan forestland covers more than 52 percent of the state at 18.5 million acres.
• The Highest recorded temperature was 112F and the lowest -51F.

While these facts may seem to be random and meaningless, in one way or another they played a part in shaping the first 20+ years of my life.

Last October Heather and I took a trip from Illinois up the Western Coast of Michigan to Traverse City. Driving in and out of wooded areas and catching glimpses of lake Michigan the entire way. We finally made it to the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula and could take in the stunning scenery that Michigan had to offer. The massive body of fresh water, the amazing colors of the fall leaves, and patch-like qualities of the land going from bright green fields to vineyards to apple and cherry orchards and even Christmas tree farms. Making that trip along Michigan helped me realize that the state I grew up in is filled with unique beauty that can only be found there.

While I may officially be a resident of a different state, I will always anticipate the trips back to Michigan.