Dear Arkansas,

Please don’t tell Oklahoma, but I have a bit of a crush on you. I was lucky enough to attend AWBU in Rogers earlier this this month. Now, I’m not a newbie—I’ve been to Arkansas before. I’m no stranger to the Natural State, which is why I was so taken by surprise.

I headed north from I-40 on I-49 and the breath was stolen from my body. My jaw quite literally dropped and it was in that moment I became smitten. The views—nay, the panoramic vistas!—the unrelenting smell of pine that wafted through my car’s vents. I just wanted to pull over to the side of the road and write long, glowing tributes to the beauty of the steep, tree-covered mountainsides surrounding me, the beautiful seam created when the tips of the tree line kissed the blue sky, woven with puffy, soft taffy clouds. I could never do it justice.

When I arrived in Rogers and was met with the loving circle that is the Women Bloggers, it was the warm and welcoming embodiment of that welcoming scenery; a group of supportive and caring women surrounded me—but not just me, everyone—and together we assured one another of our inner strength. The group of us knit together in ways unseen, providing an incontrovertible connection that I could feel surrounding me when I took time to get quiet.

Over two days, I was shown the best that Arkansas has to offer—from the supportive bloggers to the amazing businesses sponsoring the conference, family-owned local businesses that stand as examples of what makes not only Arkansas but our country a wonderful place to live. I learned about the passion behind family farms, the importance of a strong work ethic. I was reminded of things important to me that sometimes get lost in the day to day overwhelming grind.

Upon heading back home a few days later—full of information, head spinning from the connections and lessons learned—I realized that I had been given a gift. The gift of Arkansas. I bonded with people and tapped into big ideas, but more than that, I was reminded of what a blessing it is to live in this world, in this time.

And for that, I am thankful. You’ve got my heart, Arkansas.

Mari Farthing, Oklahoma Women Bloggers

Mari Farthing is the local administrator of Oklahoma Women Bloggers living in the Oklahoma City area with her husband, two tween children, and a pair of red-eared sliders (Gamera and Mud). Originally from Wisconsin, Mari arrived in Oklahoma courtesy of the United States Air Force and decided to put down roots in the red dirt when her husband retired from active duty service in 2011. Mari maintains two of her own blogs, www.MariFarthing.com and www.MariEdits.glogspot.com and contributes to several others (like www.BookyGoodness.com). She blogs about family, music, crafts and cooking, pop culture, writing, editing, books, and really just about anything that runs through her brain. Mari has a wealth of editing experience, including a five-year run as editor of a local parenting publication and two years as contract editor for a local small press. Mari finds inspiration in her children, well-crafted words, and a great glass of wine. Currently Mari continues to write and edit when not knitting and running.