Did you miss me? Because I DEFINITELY missed you guys! Welcome to the newest edition of Life with Callie! Yes, you read that right. LIFE with Callie. Not College with Callie anymore.
Why, you may ask? Well, because YOUR GIRL GRADUATED COLLEGE!!! WOOHOOO!!! 🎓
I know, I know. It's been a hot minute since I've sat down and written one of these, but trust me, I have A LOT to catch you guys up on. Life has been moving at approximately 100 miles per hour, and somewhere between graduating college, moving states, starting a new job, and trying to figure out this whole adulthood thing, I realized I haven't given you guys a proper life update.
So grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let's catch up because SO MUCH has changed.
First Things First... I LIVE IN FLORIDA?! 🌴☀️
Yes, you read that correctly. FLORIDA. As in palm trees, beaches, tourists, unbearable humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms that come out of absolutely NOWHERE.
Your girl packed her bags, said goodbye to sweet home Alabama, and moved to the Sunshine State!
And let me just say, living in a completely different state for the first time has been an EXPERIENCE.
Growing up in Alabama and going to college at the University of Alabama, I was always surrounded by something familiar. Whether it was my friends, family, or just knowing my way around town, I had my little comfort zone.
Well... that comfort zone has officially been THROWN OUT THE WINDOW.
Moving to Florida has taught me so much about myself already. From learning how to navigate a new city to figuring out where the closest Target is (VERY important information, by the way), I've had to become a lot more independent.
And while it has definitely been scary at times, it's also been one of the most exciting things I've ever done.
There's something so fun about starting fresh somewhere new. New places to explore, new restaurants to try, new people to meet, and new memories to make.
But can we talk about the Florida weather for a second?
Because WHAT. IS. THIS.
I'm from Alabama, so trust me, I know what humidity feels like. BUT FLORIDA HUMIDITY??? A whole different level of disrespect.
I can spend an hour doing my hair and makeup, walk outside for approximately 30 seconds, and suddenly look like I just ran a marathon.
And don't even get me started on the rain.
It can be the most beautiful, sunny day, and then BOOM. The sky opens up like we're in the middle of a hurricane. And five minutes later? Sunshine again.
Florida, PLEASE pick a personality.
But despite the weather (YUCK), I really have enjoyed getting to experience life somewhere new.
Your Girl Traded Her Suits for a Costume! 🏰✨
Okay, now for probably the biggest plot twist of them all...
I WORK AT DISNEY WORLD!!!
Yes. THE Disney World.
More specifically, Magic Kingdom, AKA one of the busiest theme parks in the entire world.
If you had told me a year ago that I would go from reporting live on television, interviewing people, and anchoring newscasts to working at Disney World, I probably would've looked at you like you were CRAZY.
But here we are!
Your girl officially traded her blazers, heels, and newsroom scripts for a Disney costume and a name tag.
And honestly? It's been such an interesting experience.
Working at Disney is definitely not for the weak. Between the Florida heat, the crowds, the long shifts, and the thousands of people who visit every single day, let's just say I've learned the true meaning of PATIENCE.
But there's also something pretty special about being part of a place that means so much to so many people.
You get to meet people from all over the world, hear their stories, and sometimes even be a small part of what makes their vacation memorable.
Plus, I can casually say I work at the same place where Cinderella lives. So that's pretty cool.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking...
"Callie, what happened to sports broadcasting?"
DON'T YOU WORRY.
The dream is still VERY much alive.
In fact, this entire move is part of a bigger plan I've been working toward.
And while I would LOVE to spill all the details right now, I'm keeping this one to myself for a little while longer.
You know how sometimes you just have to work in silence and let things happen?
That's where I'm at.
I'm praying, manifesting, working hard, and trusting that everything will fall into place exactly how it's supposed to.
And HOPEFULLY, one day soon, I'll get to come back on here and tell you guys some really exciting news.
But until then... just know your girl has a PLAN. 🤫
New State, New Friends, New Memories! 💕
One of my absolute FAVORITE parts about moving to Florida has been the people I've met along the way.
If there's one thing nobody really prepares you for after college, it's having to make friends all over again.
In college, making friends felt so natural. You had classes together, football games, sorority events, nights out, and approximately a million opportunities to meet people.
But after graduation?
Suddenly, everyone's moving to different cities, starting careers, and figuring out their own lives.
And you're just sitting there like... okay, so how exactly do adults make friends???
Thankfully, moving to Florida has given me the opportunity to meet some really amazing people.
It's crazy how you can move somewhere knowing hardly anyone and, within a few months, meet people who make a completely unfamiliar place start to feel like home.
From spontaneous adventures to laughing about the most random things after a long shift, I've already made memories that I know I'll look back on forever.
And honestly, that's one of the things I'm most grateful for.
It's also taught me that sometimes the best friendships happen when you least expect them.
You just have to be willing to put yourself out there, say yes to new experiences, and occasionally step outside your comfort zone.
Which, if you know me, is sometimes easier said than done.
But we're GROWING over here, people!!!
Let's Talk About Long-Distance Friendships... 🥹
Now, as much as I love meeting new people, I would be lying if I said I didn't miss my friends back home.
Because I DO.
SO. MUCH.
One minute, you're living five minutes away from your best friends, seeing them whenever you want, going to dinner together, and making plans on a random Tuesday.
And the next?
Everyone has a different zip code.
RUDE.
Nobody tells you how strange it feels to go from seeing your college friends almost every day to having to plan phone calls around work schedules.
And don't even get me started on trying to coordinate a weekend trip when everyone has different days off.
It's practically a full-time job.
But something I've been learning is that growing up doesn't necessarily mean growing apart.
Friendships just start looking a little different.
Instead of spontaneous Target runs, it's FaceTime calls. Instead of grabbing dinner after class, it's sending each other TikToks and giving life updates through voice messages.
And sometimes, it's counting down the days until you can finally all be in the same room again.
I've realized that the best friendships don't require you to talk every second of every day. Sometimes life gets busy, and that's okay.
What matters is continuing to show up for each other, even from hundreds of miles away.
And if anything, being away from my friends has made me appreciate them even more.
OH, AND DID I MENTION I GRADUATED COLLEGE?! 🎓❤️
Okay, I know I already mentioned this, but I feel like it deserves its own moment.
I GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA!!!
After years of classes, assignments, deadlines, late-night studying, football Saturdays, and more memories than I could ever count, I officially walked across that stage in May and became an Alabama alumna.
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!!!
And can I be completely honest?
I genuinely don't know whether to be excited or sad.
Because LOWKEY...
I MISS COLLEGE.
Like, A LOT.
Don't get me wrong, I'm beyond grateful to have graduated. Earning my degree was something I worked incredibly hard for, and I'm so proud of everything I accomplished.
But nobody really warns you about how emotional graduating can be.
For three years, Tuscaloosa was home.
It was where I made some of my best friends, discovered more about who I am, chased my dream of becoming a sports broadcaster, met my boyfriend and experienced some of the best moments of my life.
From Alabama football Saturdays (which will NEVER be topped, by the way) to working in the newsroom and getting to tell stories that mattered, college gave me so many opportunities that helped shape the person I am today.
And then suddenly... it was over.
No more walking across campus. No more seeing your friends whenever you want. No more planning your entire week around Saturday football games.
And perhaps the scariest part?
No more having a perfectly laid-out plan for what comes next.
Because for practically our entire lives, we've known what the next step was.
Elementary school, middle school, high school, college...
And then you graduate, and everyone's like, "Okay! Go figure out the rest of your life!"
UM... EXCUSE ME???
CAN I GET A MANUAL OR SOMETHING?
It's such a weird feeling being so excited for the future while also wishing you could go back and relive certain moments just one more time.
But I think that's what makes those memories so special.
And no matter where life takes me, Alabama will always hold such a special place in my heart.
Once a Bama girl, ALWAYS a Bama girl.
So... What Happens Next? 💌
Well, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it?
If there's one thing these past few months have taught me, it's that life after college is NOT as straightforward as I once imagined.
I used to think I would graduate, immediately land my dream job, move to a new city, and have everything figured out.
HAHA. That's cute.
Instead, I'm learning that life doesn't always follow the timeline we create for ourselves.
Sometimes you take a detour. Sometimes you move somewhere unexpected. Sometimes you have absolutely no idea what you're doing, but you do it anyway.
And maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Right now, I'm in this really interesting season of life where I'm trying to balance working, pursuing my career goals, maintaining friendships, making time for myself, and actually enjoying being in my twenties.
Because while I have some BIG dreams I'm working toward, I also don't want to spend so much time worrying about the future that I forget to enjoy what's happening right in front of me.
I want to explore new places. Take spontaneous trips. Make memories with my friends. Continue growing in my career. Try new things. And most importantly, enjoy this chapter of life, even when it feels a little chaotic.
I'm realizing that you don't have to have everything figured out at 22, 23, or even 25.
And that's something I'm constantly reminding myself.
Welcome to Life with Callie! 🥂
So, with all that being said, welcome to this new era!
Life with Callie is going to be a little bit of everything.
The job applications, the career wins (and hopefully LOTS of them), the adventures, the friendships, the long-distance struggles, the funny stories, the occasional life crisis, and all the random moments in between.
I want this blog to be a place where we can talk about the REAL parts of growing up. Not just the perfectly curated Instagram moments, but the messy, exciting, confusing, and beautiful parts too.
Because let's be real, none of us have this whole adulthood thing completely figured out.
And if you do... PLEASE send me your secrets.
For now, I'm just a recent college graduate living in Florida, working at Disney World, chasing a dream in sports broadcasting, and trying to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.
I have absolutely no idea where life will take me next, but I have a feeling this next chapter is going to be a good one.
And I can't wait to bring you guys along for the ride.
Thanks for sticking around, pretty people. I promise not to disappear for TOO long this time. 😉
XOXO,
Callie 💋
P.S. Just because I graduated doesn't mean we're retiring the phrase...
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