Although I am not born and raised in Kern County *gasp*, I have found a genuine sense of home in Bakersfield. This city has welcomed me with open arms from day one and I have increasingly fallen in love with this town and its people.
I initially moved here in the summer of 2012. Allan and I were dating and I had decided to pursue my degree in English at Cal State University, Bakersfield full time. I was fresh to Central California and ready to receive what Bakersfield had to offer! Mind you, my decision to move to Bakersfield was met by quite a few naysayers. The usual suspects with their questions like, "BAKERSFIELD?! Why are you moving there?", had become the norm during my transition from Southern California to Central California, which, in retrospect, is a funny question to receive because Bakersfield is a gem! During my time here as a resident, I have found plenty of reasons why my move has proven to be a good decision over and over again.
I can genuinely say that I love this city! There is a deeeeeeep sense of pride in Bakersfield's establishments, traditions, and history (ask Allan Wheeler, he's gotten SUPER into Bakersfield's local history). Not to mention, I LOVE the community of people here. Chivalry and manners are not dead in Kern county and creativity has been, and is, booming. I remember Allan telling me of his friends' endeavors, whether it be music, starting bands and playing shows, or opening small businesses, and I didn't believe him. This city's creative soil is rich and continually blooming! Bakersfield has such an entrepreneurial spirit and I LOVE that.
I could go on, but this post is just to say that I am happy to be here putting down roots! I heart Bakersfield, I am a proud resident of Kern County, and I wanted an outlet to illustrate this love. I wanted to create an object that showed my appreciation of this city and an object which encouraged others to do the same. Enter in "I HEART BKFD" enamel pins. Wear your proverbial heart on your sleeve whenever, wherever!
If you have similar sentiments towards Bakersfield and Kern County and want to join in the love-fest, you can order your own enamel pins online at chocolatemilkplease.com/bkfd or, better yet, meet me downtown this Saturday, May 12th at Bakersfield's Second Saturday! We'll be located at The Hen's Roost, alongside other amazing vendors, from 10:00 am 2:00 pm. We'd love to see you!