Like a deep-seeded friendship, Metro-Detroit has always been there for me. After over a decade apart we’ve been able to pick-up right where we left off. Together and apart we’ve seen unexpected challenges and roadblocks, overwhelming growth and rebuilding. I’m so excited and thankful to be a part of the Detroit Moms Blog team and share my journey with you!
Here’s a quick catch-up of the last 10 years…
I grew up in Novi and pursued my undergraduate degree at Central Michigan University (Fire Up Chips!) where I met my awesomely kind and patient husband Aaron. The day after we got married we packed a U-Haul and moved down to Oxford, MS where I earned my Master’s degree at the University of Mississippi (Hotty Toddy!). After that we settled in Chicago for six years. Upon learning we were expecting our first child (daughter Ro), my husband and I hightailed it back to Livonia – sound insane and a bit familiar? I landed a job at a company downtown so I get the best of both worlds: city and suburbia! There are so many mini miracles that made this whirlwind transition amazing and serendipitous but that’s another story for another day. For right now, I’ll tell you why I love Livonia and Detroit….
Livonia Public Library
As a working mom I appreciate any place that offers kids activities after normal business hours or on weekends. I LOVE any place that offers those things for free! Enter the library. Livonia has three separate branches and as if that weren’t enough a Livonia Public Library card is also a library card at nearly sixty (yes, 6-0!) other Metro Detroit libraries, offering you the all the same privileges. Our closest branch has pretty consistently offered Family Story Time on a weekday evening. They also have a huge children’s section, board books for check-out (please tell me I’m not the only one happily surprised by that?!), book clubs, volunteer opportunities, Michigan Activity Passes, an e-newsletter, special events, an art gallery, and so much more! So much FREE fun! (Not a Livonia resident? Check out DMB’s Library Guide here.)
Campus Martius Park
A lot of people ask me if I miss Chicago. Heck no! I mean, don’t get me wrong Chicago is an inspiring city and we still have many friends there. But I step outside my office building out on to Woodward Avenue and am seconds from the epicenter of downtown Detroit! Campus Martius offers year-round after-hours and weekend fun, family activities, or just a quick break from the daily grind. Not to mention if you’ve found yourself in Campus Martius, you’ve found yourself walking distance to Comerica Park, Ford Field, the Opera House, several theaters, Cobo Center, the RenCen and many other iconic, entertaining, and delicious venues. Oh, and Chicago does NOT have a volleyball court in between skyscrapers!
My Neighborhood
Cliche and Mr. Rogers-like? Ok maybe so. Completely unfounded? Not a chance! Ever a homebody it’s very important to me that I love where I live. But being pregnant and a smidge rushed on finding a house this is one of those serendipitous things I mentioned. The subdivision we live in is minutes from downtown Plymouth and downtown Northville; obviously places I also love. In true Livonia subdivision form, we have a pool club and elementary school in the center with a sprinkling of playgrounds, jungle-gyms, and ball fields. Within a few miles radius I have my favorite grocery stores, ice cream place, chiropractor, salon, expressways, mall, my mom, and daycare. My family and I, which includes two French Bulldogs, love to take walks around the neighborhood on our warm days. It’s our go-to family activity when the winter cabin fever sets in.
I could keep gushing about all the reasons we moved back to Metro Detroit and settled in Livonia. What do you love about Livonia?!
Awesome, Megan! Thanks for reminding me of all the things I love about this area too.