The Art of Belonging

Certain moments quietly shine a light on where we fit and where there’s still room to grow. This weekend was one of those moments.

It was Parents Weekend at UGA, and it is also Kylie’s senior year of college (which still feels impossible to believe). She really wanted us to be part of this tradition one last time, and I’m so glad we were. As much as I’m an introvert, standing there in that sea of black and red, watching her in her element, confident, grounded, and full of life, filled me with a pride that’s hard to put into words. She’s become someone who leads with kindness and curiosity, who works with intention, loves deeply, and finds joy in the little things.

There’s something so humbling about seeing your child step fully into herself, to witness her independence, her maturity, her light. It’s an honor to be her parents, to stand back and watch as she builds a life that’s entirely her own, while still letting us be part of it.

But if I’m being honest, Parents Weekend isn’t easy for me. The crowds, the noise, the constant buzz of energy, it’s a lot. And layered on top of that is the cultural difference. Keith and I both grew up in Southern California, and the South, especially here in Georgia, feels like a whole different world. The traditions, the football culture, it’s all so different from what we know.

Even after living here for nineteen years, there are still moments when we feel a little out of place, like guests at a celebration we love but don’t completely understand. Georgia has become home in so many ways, and yet, there’s still that quiet awareness that we come from somewhere else.

We often find ourselves standing slightly on the edges, smiling, taking it all in, not entirely sure if we’re doing it “right.” It’s funny how you can be surrounded by people and still feel like an outsider.

But here’s what I keep reminding myself: fitting in isn’t the same as belonging.

We might not share the same background, the same stories, or even know all the cheers, but our love for our daughter connects us more deeply than any of that ever could. Kylie is our bridge between our California roots and this Southern chapter she’s living so fully. She moves through it all with such grace, and through her, we find our place too.

Maybe that’s what the art of belonging really is, showing up with love, curiosity, and openness, even when you feel a little out of step. It’s standing just outside your comfort zone and realizing that presence matters so much more than perfection.

We may never quite fit in here, and that’s okay. Because belonging, I’ve learned, has less to do with where you are and more to do with who you’re with.