I left a magical place, Verona, NJ, nestled in Essex County,
only 30 minutes from New York City. Verona was a place of happiness, safety and
a beautiful county park. The teachers at school are all married to the local
policemen. The elementary school consisted of only two classes per grade and no
buses. I walked my kids to school and everyone showed proper thanks to our
crossing guards at holidays and year-end. Magic, I tell you.
In Verona, I was an active member of the Junior League of
Montclair Newark (JLMN). That League's mission was (and is still) Children at
Risk. I joined JLMN because a number of my friends were already members. I also
felt it was an organized and social way that I could give back because I have
been blessed with three perfect, healthy children and there isn't much more to
life than that.
In 2013, my family decided to seek employment in/around metro
Atlanta. While I loved almost
everything about Verona, the insane property costs, snowy weather (my nemesis),
parking issues, and the fact that you can't do u turns in NJ got to me. While
most folks relocating to a new area look at schools and real estate, I
immediately checked out the local Junior Leagues.
My research led me to learn that the Junior League of Gwinnett
and North Fulton Counties would be the geographically logical League to join. I
reached out via the proper channel. That led me to Renee Adams, my transfer
chair.
Not everyone will have Renee as a Transfer Chair. We realized we
were both Keller Williams agents and our children attended the same preschool.
Later we discovered we both gave a son the middle name of James, we are both
December babies, and left-handed. Our friendship turned into magic.
But it didn't stop there. While not all JLGNF members and I lead
parallel lives, everyone I met made me feel as if I had known them forever. Everyone
I met was sweet, smart and sincere. I immediately loved everyone. I felt closer
to these women after the first General Membership Meeting (GMM) than after a
year in my other League. The acceptance was immediate, both administratively
and emotionally. The Board was quick to "process" me, and everyone
else was quick to make me feel like I belonged without having to be sponsored
or invited. I was able to begin this transition into my new world immediately.
This all-inclusive, open-armed League is the perfect fit for me
right now. I would not have wanted to wait to become established in order to
join the JLGNF. I am thankful that they allowed me (and other transfers) to
join first and establish later.
When
my friends in NJ ask me how I like Georgia, without missing a beat, I tell them
it's magical.
-- Melissa
Boozikee, Active Member; Attic Sale Co-Chair
