This is a story of two loves. The first is my love for my home state, the motherland, Maine. No matter where I go or how many beautiful sights I see Maine will always be the most breathtaking and soul soaring place I have ever been. So maybe I’m a bit biased. It it’s not just the landscape, riddled with green fragrant pines, untouched white birch forests, swamps and rugged coastline, the people of Maine are what make it so special to me.

The second story of love is what brought me to Maine this September, the wedding of my oldest and closest friend. She found her love in Maine and I was lucky enough to be part of their wedding day.

The best trips are the ones overflowing with happiness; the ones where you can’t believe how lucky you are to be in that certain special place at that certain special time because everything about it makes you smile. Maine is such a place, and September is the perfect time to visit. The worst of the bugs are over with, there is a nip of fall in the air but the sun still shines bright and warm in the daylight hours. Apples are in season but you can still get a good deal on fresh lobster.

Maine will always be home to me. I love the west, I love the rugged dry desert, but at the end of the day when I close my eyes I dream of Maine.