Family is Everything in Appalachia - A Culture Built Around Family

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

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[@deborahmantha1080]

I had that kind of relationship with my late mother-in-law. My own mother moved hundreds of miles away after I got married and had our first child. My mother-in-law became a mom to me...she taught me just about everything I ever learned about cooking, canning, crocheting, sewing, being a wife and mother. For a long time we lived just a mile away...but we still stayed close even when we moved 35 miles away. It was my privilege to help her in the last months of her life as she battled cancer...someday I'll see her again, but I still miss her here and now.

[@LouiseAnneWelch]

I have relatives in Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and several other places.

[@LouiseAnneWelch]

My late husband used to say that you were treated like a "red haired stepchild", as if you aren't part of the family. I think that's sad, because I was adopted at four years old. I love your family stories. Thank you.

[@kimgreene9241]

I’ve lived next to my In-laws and my Mother lived next door before she passed. It was so comforting having my Mother next door, especially when she got cancer it made it easier for us to care for her which was my honor. My husband’s parents and mine got along so well. We did Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Birthdays together which was wonderful. Cory, don’t ever feel bad about how much time you spend with your folks. It’s a precious time. ❤

[@lisabeal8615]

There is a wonderful children's book called "the relatives came" by Cynthia Ryland about the warm feelings of everyone coming home and piling in the house to sleep. I remember reading it to my daughter and getting that warm sense of kinship.

[@janeenadams]

That’s my favorite children’s book. It reminds me of traveling to visit my family in upstate New York.

[@EMBERS-BECAME-BRIGHT-JOY]

Corie is sooo sweet! She answers "I'll let you hijack (the conversation) anyday, I just love spending time with you. I'm more of a listener." Gotta love that match of great puzzle piecemeal 💕

[@EMBERS-BECAME-BRIGHT-JOY]

Oops should have put 'placement'. 'Piecemeal' is a word I've never ever used 🤣 and it popped up. Then I googled it. It seems to carry with is what I don't mean for y'all, a sense of haphazard array. Your two personalities are like matching puzzle pieces. Katie, Matt, Austin, Nick, Granny, Ms. Cindy 🙏🏼 no piece isn't necessary were your family a zigzag puzzle. 💝

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Renee! You always make us feel so good!! 😀

[@EMBERS-BECAME-BRIGHT-JOY]

Likewise, Tipper Pressley 😁

[@evagardner6013]

We don’t have a close-knit family. My husband and I are first generation Christians and praying when our children grow up, this is how they’ll feel.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

What a gift you are giving them! I admire you!!

[@skyjust828]

The "poundin'" is how true Christians are supposed to be. That's how God gets His work done 👍🙌🙏

[@marcellagodbold9015]

My Mom was a twin her sister n her always talked to each other on the phone almost every day.. there both passed on in are with Jesus, I miss them both alot

[@shmataboro8634]

Family is everything. My dad's work moved us from southern Indiana to Michigan, just south of Detroit, when I was a kid. People there talked so fast I couldn't understand them 😂 We lived there 10 years and it never ever felt like home. I lived for the weekends when we could come down home to see our folks. When I was married just 2 weeks my husband changed jobs and moved us to Wisconsin. His jobs moved us around a few more times after that. He was not one to stay in one place. When we divorced, the kids and I moved back home to my people in southern Indiana. My kids, now adults, live in 3 different states and one in Europe. I cant help but think my life would have been a whole lot different if we'd all have followed the advice of my Appalachian ancestors, "Don't go off and live so far away that you can't see the smoke from your mom and pap's chimney." That seems like the best advice to me. My papaw gave a plot of land to his daughters when they married, and built their houses. They were not rich, it was little cottages, but the aunts and uncles and cousins lived right up the lane from mamaw and papaw. That was a wonderful life in so many ways. Our family is so close in our hearts now, but it would be heaven to walk back and forth for a visit instead of a day-long drive or taking an airplane.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and about your family 😀

[@catherineake6309]

A long time ago my husband and I moved to a small farm in southern Ohio. When his parents came to see the place we went to the little church we attended. When we walked in and we introduced his parents Walt hollered over to his wife, "Juanita, come and meet their people!". We were thrilled to know we had "people"!!! And what a blessing our people were. Miss them so much. Thanks for sharing your people.

[@PJRMamawJo]

I was raised in southern Ohio and we lived on the "hill" an old dirt road (paved now)with all my father's brothers, and families living right next door from each other. With my grandparents house in the middle of us all. Us cousins had a great time growing up together, we all were close. Times have changed so much. But I am 64 now and 2 of my children live on the same road as I do and my oldest son is just 20 mins away. So thankful. God bless you all. Really enjoy your videos. Congrats on the baby, oh what a beautiful blessing!

[@lindaharper6378]

We lived about 5 houses down the road from my parents and enjoyed all the wonderful benefits of that for many years. When they passed, our son bought their house for his family and now we are being blessed by them being that close. ❤

[@sweetg12651]

I loved your story about your mom saying "We're right peaceable right now." That made me chuckle - so cute!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😀

[@triciatinker9456]

My late husband was a minister. The first couple of churches we served gave us a pounding when we went to their church as a minister family. It was wonderful because we served small churches that couldn’t pay a lot. In the first church we served, a church member owned a small grocery store. He would always chase me out of the store with a bag of meat or flour and sugar. He would always tell me I “forgot” that bag in the store. He was a wonderful Christian man who really blessed us!

[@joannhanson3397]

I grew up in a tight knit family in southern Illinois - everybody was in everybody's business. I left when I was 18 and joined the Army, I didn't know what to do with my life and I wanted to get away from my family. I met and married a man from the west coast and we settled out here after we got out of the military. My biggest regret in life is that my children were not raised near my family. They missed out on so much and it took me getting older to realize what I gave up by moving so far away. I still live out here and I wish more than anything that I could just jump in the car and go visit them. Many have died off and I missed so much. I still count my blessings and I go out to visit whenever I can.

[@ConnieM777]

God bless you. My mom didn’t leave but worked and never had any time for me.

[@adventurenana]

I never ask about when children will come. You never know if a couple are struggling with getting pregnant. I have a niece who tears up every time someone asks her. 😢

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you for watching!

[@Sewmena918]

I agree. Sometimes people just ask the most personal questions without thinking.

[@biancacox8630]

@@Sewmena918 well both Corey and Austin did a video after they were first married answering that question and they both stated they wanted to wait a few years before having kids ..maybe folks forgot about that video

[@donnawv]

My daughter gets asked that question and it really bothers her. She can have (we assume) children but just doesn’t feel like that’s her thing. Nothing wrong with that, but many people have tried to make her feel bad about a very personal decision.

[@rondahoward5341]

You didn’t lose a daughter, you gained a son. Amen! We will celebrate our 28th anniversary in November snd we’re married in the same Baptist church my parents were married in, my grandparents, my great grandparents and my great great grandparents! Yes, the church has been there since early 1800s. We still spend the night with my dad and my kids still come here and stay. I tease and say they come to eat….. It’s so comforting to know that families still do that.

[@ConnieM777]

Your channel is healing me.I’m so lonely.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Bless you!!

[@brendafrye5875]

I totally agree with you. Family is everything. I lived right across the road from my parents after I got married. My daddy gave us land to build a home and we lived there for 25 years. Unfortunately my husband didn't believe in family like I do and he chose to leave our family for someone else but with all that I praise God for my parents and family. Without them I would not have made it through all the changes in my life. Today my parents are gone and I live in my parents home. My son and daughter live on the same farm with me. There is a beautiful family who live in my home across the road. I am so blessed. Tipper I cried with you when you were talking about your father's death. I feel the sme way when I think of both my parents. I think you have a beautiful family. I have followed you for such a short time but you feel like family to me. I live in the Sandhills area of NC but can identify with so many of your feeling. Thank you so much for your kindness and brining back so many memories. ❤️

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Brenda!!

[@paullynch5621]

Pap was a good Daddy in-law, just to hear that he took Matt under his wing and taught him how to build houses. That’s a great testament to him and shows how he taught on how to build a home, the family. That portion of the video made me tear up. Love your videos.

[@KathyShaw-su1iw]

Having family around must be such a blessing. I have no family around. I am single. I have one son. The only friends I have are coworkers. I like being alone.....but I do long for a friend occasionally.

[@skyjust828]

Congratulations on a year 🎉❤😂 we raised our oldest children near my father-in-law who spoiled our children with 💕 & when the youngest 2 were born we lived near him as well but the youngest was only 1 when he passed😢 but he & my husband's oldest daughter were the only babysitter we trusted😊

[@AuntMaryNC]

"Who are your people" used to be a common question in Nashville, but the city has gotten too big for that now. My family goes back many generations here, but everyone has passed on now. I am grateful to have a family of choice, not blood, we take care of each other as if we were kin. It's important to have connections to other people in some way. You all are truly lucky to have each other.

[@alperdue2704]

I understand. Most of my family is gone but me and my kids have been “adopted “ by a big loving family. I feel especially blessed.

[@homesteadingpastor]

Family closeness is very important to us here as well. Unfortunately today so many families are not close like they use to be but ours are still pretty close like you guys are. One of the sayings around here when you visit folks is YALL DON’T HAVE TO RUN OFF. Robbie Lynn & I always say we could listen to you share your stories all day long. Thanks for sharing. 😇🙏🏻🙌🏻❤️

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Pastor Lon! Wish we lived close enough to each other to visit often 😀

[@carolynpurser7469]

Some folks just don't understand that beautiful family oriented Appalachian culture. The world needs more of that culture.

[@garybrunet6346]

You’re an amazing storyteller,Tipper! You make us feel so welcome!😊🇨🇦

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Gary!

[@yuvondaseal6736]

Congratulations Dear Corie and Austin Poundings.....we would have been hungry many times just after Dad started preaching if it had nor been for the congregation. I remember one time when I was about 11, I guess, I looked out the front window of the house we had just finished building and there was a whole string of people coming down the driveway carrying bags of groceries and bowls of food. And that happened many times through out the first few years. God always takes care of His own❤❤❤❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love that memory!!

[@Needlewich]

I think Appalachian hospitality is unlike hospitality anywhere!! There is no comparison! Loved the story about Pap giving over his paycheck to the church and Granny thinking about where she would get food and then here comes “pounding” food!! Your family closeness is wonderful! So sweet! I hope it will always stay that way! God bless and love to all! 💕🤗🙏🏻

[@donnawv]

Another wonderful video! I’m 64, but as a child my parents migrated from WV to Ohio. Most weekends would find us going “home” to WV. At 14, we moved back to WV for good. After marriage, I either saw or talked to my mom every day until she passed away 16 years ago. My husband and I eventually left the county our families lived in due to the husband’s work. I found that while West Virginian’s are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet they can be somewhat “clannish.” It took us years to fit in to the area we’d moved to. Talk about a lonely feeling, it really was. I always feel like you’re like a wonderful neighbor that I get to talk to when you have a new video. Thank you!!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Happy to feel like a neighbor 😀

[@arianahoule7223]

I thoroughly enjoy your stories of Appalachia and your beloved family. It gives me hope for our world knowing there are beautiful people like you. Tipper, you and your family, by creating your videos, are playing a huge part in helping heal our planet. I grew up in Los Angeles and all I knew about Appalachia was, it was a place where a bunch of hillbillies' lived in broken-down trailers. Amazing how smug people can be. I would have given anything to have been brought up in such a beautiful and loving family as yours. So, please continue sharing your stories. They give me a sense of peace and tranquility. Sending loving and peace-filled thoughts to everyone.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Alicia652]

You hit the nail on the head, Tipper! Family centeredness is everything. The close knit ties, the legacy shared through the stories, the sense of being and belonging, the laughter and warmth that comes from being with “your people” that you have history with, there is nothing like it! I come from a very close knit family too and I cherish the memories I have of our many times together. I really feel for people who do not have the closeness of family. They are really missing out! ❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

So glad you have a close family!

[@carlacunningham4006]

I admire the strong family bond you all have. My family moved from Iowa to WA state when I was 13. After that I had no contact with any cousins and eventually lost my grandparents there as well. I think I am drawn to youtube families like yours because of a need to remember what families could be like.

[@Printertrouble]

Im from Wisconsin and out cultures are very similar... Esp centered around family. Its starting to wain abit in certain areas, but where we are from its still very in tact.

[@Texan_Gal]

Y’all are the FIRST White family I’ve seen that shares these family values as we do (Mexicans). Here in Texas it’s so different. But we’ve never allowed our surrounding or others to change us. We are looked upon as weird, or dysfunctional, or “too close”. Thanks for sharing!🤍

[@smc130]

Very true! I’m an elderly white Texan and I have never had family or friends spontaneously invite us to sleep over. My father would escort you to your car, open the car door and making sure you are locked in and waving goodbye as they walk away. My father was the master of getting family members on the road back to their own homes!!

[@shmataboro8634]

​@@smc130sounds like my in-laws. My family was all, " No sense taking a long drive this late, y'all stay over, we can make up pallet beds on the floor for all the kids". Its wonderful to have people who hate to see you go!

[@tonytherf-mb3dg]

Although I am born and raised in Michigan and things are different here. I'm blessed with a loving family. Through your stories and videos I imagine and have a deep sense of the love and feelings you express when talking about your family, friends, neighbors, community home and rich history. ❤

[@TRMTRM-qw7ov]

I love the story about you daddy and his paycheck. I have often hoped you'd do a video about community response in Appalachia. Stories about community coming together to help someone in need, due to a storm, illness, loss, or even harvesting would be truly uplifting. Here in Ohio, there are many stories about the Amish and Mennonite communities in a few of our counties coming together for barn raisings, crop cultivating, etc. We need to recognize the strength of community now, more then ever.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@straightmom9774]

You all represent good American values. Yall are really representative of the American dream and who we are as a people. Thank you for sharing as a great reminder to many of the truly important things in life. 🇺🇲❤💪👑

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

You are so kind-thank you 😀

[@michelleweaver632]

That must be so nice to have a mother like you have Tipper and the mother that you are for your girls. My mother is terribly abusive and I had to remove myself and my family when she continued the abuse onto my children. I would live under a bridge before I ever lived with my mother again. I wish the sense of family I should've had growing up in Appalachia had been part of my life. God bless.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Bless you! So sorry.

[@SJ-ni6iy]

I live in Appalachia, I’m the oldest of 4 and we all live within walking distance. I live in a place where my kids can play outside and spend the day with their cousins.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

That is so wonderful!

[@hereigns7221]

Sounds like Heaven 😊

[@SJ-ni6iy]

@@hereigns7221 almost heaven West Virginia 🤣

[@hereigns7221]

@@SJ-ni6iy 😍

[@christyroper4122]

My husband and I both grew up living surrounded on all sides by family - grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. When we married we moved about 20 minutes away but my parents recently gave us 3 acres and we built a house next door to them and have been here for about 5 years. I’m so happy to be “home”, still surrounded by family on 3 sides. If you grow up this way, I think you understand the boundaries but also being here to take care of each other, garden together, borrow a cup of sugar or flour, or just sit on the porch for a little bit. We absolutely LOVE it!

[@cherihabegger9856]

I still remember my Aunt Mary watching me the year before I started school. I was the youngest of 3 and she had 4 who were all older than me. My mother started work and she kept me. What a wonderful time. We were so close, and stayed that way for her entire life. That's what families do, help each other and take care of each other.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love that 😀

[@robertgreene8933]

My dad's dad, owned 35 acres which he lived on and subsequently gave portions to the each of his four children. I grew up on that road with all of my aunts, uncles and cousins and it was wonderful!

[@angiethompson5684]

Such a beautiful story today ❤. Family is everything

[@sunnygal57]

Honoring loved ones through stories is such a beautiful way to keep loved ones alive. You are such a blessed family! ❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Kim 😀

[@sunshinerain6426]

What a lesson of obedience. God's always faithful to take care of his children.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😀 Thank you!

[@PellyjellyMom]

I had the most wonderful Mother-in-law but unfortunately she passed away about a year after we were married. I didn’t have a close relationship with my Mother and unfortunately my daughter and I are polar opposites. Thank goodness she gets along very well with my husband and leans on him for friendship and advice. You are so lucky to have the mutual love and respect with your daughters. Please if you are reading this don’t ask people about their childbirth issues. We were married 14 years and never tried to prevent a child but were told we would not have one. It is so painful when people ask why or when or many other comments. We had our miracle baby after 14 years. But you never know what a couple is planning or suffering. Your daughters are wonderful young women, Tipper. A real blessing to your family.

[@MDAdams72668]

My son bought the land next to mine (after being apart for years) and ofter building his home brought his fiance (now wife) with him in Sept last year(2022) they were married in December and will be neighbors and friends till I die. I am truly blessed on my small dirt road in the foothills. Their plan was to get married last December and have 5 kids over the next 10 yrs Time will tell but with good neighbors and now family here I am truly happy and wouldn't trade what a have for a billion dollars

[@BeeWOWdbyAprilLee]

I think its fair to say that the applacha lifestyle is very similar to the native americans in the way that they are always wanting to be near family. And the way you share stories to one another, because like you said it keeps these people alive in your childrens memories. Thats exactly what native americans do with their stories. It keeps LEGENDS alive for future Generations to keep alive in their memories.

[@shirleyshuler5689]

When I got married, we bought a mobile home and put it on a piece of my momma's property. Years later after my momma passed, my daughter did the same on that piece of land. I talked to my momma every day on the phone and visited her often... same with my daughter. We've all ended our vine calls or visits with "I love you"... when we go out of town we still talk! I'm thankful my family has stayed so close throughout the years. Family is so important! I love your stories! Y'all are so precious!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you! Love your family closeness 😀

[@ruarifinn]

When I got married I used to tease my husband that my parents liked him more than they liked me. What I noticed shortly after getting married was a transition where my parents became my friends, not just parents. We had dinner together nearly every week. My dad loved yard sales. He planned out his route for Saturdays and always included a stop at our house for a cup of coffee to drink with the donuts he would bring. I miss them both so much but always carry them in my heart. PS- I never heard of a pounding, but I love the idea!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love that closeness 😀

[@12clr12]

Family is EVERYTHING! When Corrie married Austin you never lost a daughter you gained a son! You are two of the most BEAUTIFUL LADIES in all of Appalachia! Your beauty is not just outward but inner as well, God Bless you both.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

You are so kind! Thank you!

[@vanessaj2551]

I love how close your family is. My daughter is married and her husband got a good job 3 hrs south of me. It’s not far but it’s still hard not seeing her on a daily basis. But I go down as often as I can to see my 2 year old grandson. My daughter is a twin and now she is having twins! God has blessed us! ❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Yay for more twins 😀

[@rightpath44]

And Sunday Dinners. We usually have 20-30 people at Mama's every Sunday after church, even now, when that's kind of a rare thing these days, but we're a very close family, here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. That is such a blessing. We all cook and put it together, and eat like kings..lol

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love that!

[@summerfunrides]

Nothing like the love and closeness of an Appalachian family. I use to go stay with mom through the day or stay the night and when she passed I’d stay the weekends with my aunt and go to church on Sundays then out to eat and ride through the countryside and stop at family cemeteries or family or friends house. The old family and friends would always say, come in and sit for a spell. I sure miss my aunt now that she’s gone. She was the glue and I miss hearing her stories about my family and ancestors. We have family all over the Tennessee, NC area. …….. from Athens, Tn.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love your memories!

[@leonardbray3733]

Beautiful storytelling. Thank you for sharing about your family. You folks are an example to many parts of the world.

[@biancacox8630]

I’m the baby sister out of 3 girls and the older 2 helped raise me …I wish so much we all 3 lived next door to each other …I would never tire of popping over for a glass of iced tea…or the 3 of us spontaneously deciding to make Christmas fudge in July and sitting around the table eating it together or while cooking dinner the 3 of us break out singing a favorite worship song …if one has family they get along with it sure can make one’s life easier and far richer being close together 💕

[@Stephanie-kt9vh]

Oh my, I forgot about Poundings. A lost way of life. Our church used to have those for those in need or like you said just to bless others. As for going to your parents after marriage, I used to go to my Parents every day when hubby went to work. And every Sunday we went to Moms for lunch after church. I love the phrase, "Come on and go home with me" I had forgotten about all these. What I wouldn't do to have those days again. My Parents are both gone now, the bond that held our family so close seems to have gone away with Mom .. my heart longs for those days and times. Thank you for reminding me of precious days. I have to tell you yesterday, April 29, I was praying for the Lord to help me remember those times, and today you post this and the memories flood back YOU, Mrs Tipper, were an answer to my prayer I prayed for last night. God is good. Thank you for letting Him work through you to be a balm to my heart. I miss having my people. Oh my goodness, the story telling' that is so true and explains my 'LONG' comments. Thank you Corie andd Tipper.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Stephanie! So glad you have those memories 😀

[@kimb6893]

I used to drive my children from Florida to West Virginia twice a year to see my parents. Sometimes we wouldn’t tell my mother we were coming and her look of sheer joy and surprise were worth every mile. Family is worth it.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love that!

[@lisalooney2681]

Family is love! Your Family is Awesome! I love everybody!!! Im so glad Austin & Corie are a happy, beautiful couple! I just love them!! God's Speed Only.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Lisa!

[@CANDGIRL271]

Speaking of sayins, something we always said was "ya ain't gotta run off" meaning when someone was about to leave, you meant you wanted them to stay a Little longer/ would enjoy their company a little longer. ❤

[@0Hillbilly]

I've lived with my daughters in Wisconsin for 15 years. When we go back to West Virginia to visit, total strangers will ask my daughters if they are Rays grandaughters. Everyone knows my dad and me too. They ask if their my daughters. It's a big joy for my dad to hear the stories of people asking if he is their Pawpaw. Bless y'all.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love that Ivan!!

[@sandrataylor3723]

Always love to hear you two talking about family closeness and the ties that bind one another.

[@lottieguffey4148]

The story about your dad’s paycheck. I am a firm believer that sometimes God lays things on our heart to do, to see if we will obey him. And within hrs God had rewarded them for their obedience.

[@NormanChester882]

God bless Corie and Austin

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Norman!

[@melissajulian5003]

I love that you're a very close family. I wish I had that. Unfortunately both my parents are gone and my only sibling, sister, is an addict and I cut ties with her. I absolutely love your videos. God Bless from Ohio

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Melissa! I sure wish you had it too!!

[@RectanerTreadway]

How I would describe this video (and in general, all stories told by Tipper): Extraordinary, pure, enchanting, transcendent,...deeply peaceful. SO beautiful, you both are. It's an honor to sit back and listen, and dream. Even as an onlooker, it is so comforting to know that the byproduct of the sacrifices for the world haven't also ripped apart the foundation that kept you close with your flesh and blood. I see a peacefulness that is enveloped by multiple generations. Having such a rich history around you must give great meaning and purpose to your lives, and be very restorative (even during times of skepticism). The simplest things can become exquisite metaphors in this culture you guys have preserved. It's clear your quality of life and definition of value, is inseparable from what it exists in your heart. The root of your joy is interconnected with your personhood, and --- because you have made this a priority I think you're able to avoid spending excessive time during our short lapse on the earth: being lost. There's something otherworldly about those mountains! Thanks for inviting us along. ☺

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

You are so kind-thank you!

[@sharonpasquini5772]

Your family is beautiful and we are blessed that you share them with us...

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you so much 😀

[@BRuthable]

Hi Tipper and Corie, this conversation was so like my life. Family connection is very important to me. I remember when I was working and taking a vacation, my department head commented about my trips to WV to see my family and that I didn't go on a real vacation. He was from Louisiana and his wife had a French background and they even bought a home in France for a few years but eventually moved back to the DC area. Their focus was on traveling the world. Both my husband and I are from WV but his job moved us here to Knoxville and it truly is a beautiful part of the state but we still missed our family. Now that I am a widow and thinking about my older son and his family including 3 grandsons, I made a decision to be near them in my later years in VA. I will be on his property and feel so happy to be there sometime this year if it's the Lord's will (as my grandmother always said). I hope my younger son ends up in that area also. I told them both happiness for me would be to have my two sons in my general area.

[@biancacox8630]

I would rather spend my vacations with family too if they lived far away…❤️

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

That is wonderful Betty! So glad you will be with them 😀

[@jklynb]

Oh how I wish I had the kind of family that you do. You are so blessed !

[@whiterose1972]

I also live in Appalachia and when I got married we moved in to an older house on my parents property. But I still cried thinking that I wasn’t going to be in the same house as my parents. lol. I was excited about getting married but couldn’t help to miss my momma and daddy. And now that they aren’t here anymore I’m glad I was close by them all those years.

[@MustangSally2.0]

Tipper, what you are talking about is the definition of "family". Unfortunately, the "family" unit is fractured and has taken quite a beating for many years now. We live in a "me me me" society anymore. I treasure you and your family, just know that. ❤❤❤

[@MsPdog1]

I think you do more good to the world then any politician, Harvard grad, rocket scientist, ect ect.. Don't ever change you guys are gold.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Bob!

[@susansoots449]

God has blessed you with a great gift for storytelling. It is important to keep family history alive. Many valuable lessons to be learned😍. As always thank you for sharing your family stories with us. I love each one!

[@brendablevins9658]

My family is all gone. I feel lonesome for them. Love the wind chimes.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Bless you Brenda! Thank you for visiting with us!

[@laurafromme4103]

When I was a young married Momma my husband would travel some for work and I always went home to my Momma and Daddy for the whole week while he was traveling. It was wonderful and I cherish the memories!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

So glad you got to spend that time with them 😀

[@mmoretti]

Unfortunately many people do not understand about the closeness of families. So many these days live so far apart. My Annie lives an hour away and I miss her. The stillness of having no one there is the worst. I truly enjoy all of your videos so much. When my Steve and I got married (I had been the last of the girls at home) my mother used to come spend time at our apartment, or I would stop in to visit her if he was out fishing. My in-laws were so different, they weren’t as close or easy to talk to, my mother in-law was not someone I could grow close to.

[@tamizambrano4742]

Some of my favorite memories was when our family would go to Sand Mountain where my Granny Wade and most of my mama’s family lived and where she grew up. My mama was the oldest of 11. We spent every summer there. My granny’s house wasn’t very big, but all of the cousins would spend the night together at least once and there were about 15 of us. We would all stay on the floor in the living room and we were wall to wall! We’d fall asleep giggling and telling scary stories!

[@rainbow616]

Heartwarming and very valuable this conversation/storytelling. I have this with my parents. I live like 10 min from them now and visit them often. I call/app my mom every day. We used to stay at my grandparents house with the whole family. My mom has 7 siblings. All the cousins sleeping in the attack. So much fun and good food in their backyard in the summer. Best childhood memories. 🙏🥰

[@SueMorris-f4s]

Austin is a great husband for Corey. They are a special couple. They are great parents to little Woody. ❤

[@robingregory3829]

I lived right beside my in-laws and 5 minutes away from my parents and would not have changed a thing. I loved every moment of it. My children could walk across the back yard and through the gate and get to my in- laws. They were always around one set of grandparents all the time.

[@maryf3219]

My family is from Pennsylvania, but we moved to Oho. When I was young, my dad worked second shift. He'd come home around midnight and tell my mom to gather up the kids (we were in bed asleep) so we could go 'home.' We'd get there in the very early morning hours, spend the weekend, head home on Sunday sometime. and get home late Sunday night. Dad loved going 'home.'

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love those memories 😀

[@sherributler7084]

Family is everything! My family was pretty close knit although my dad was in the service but we would get together as much as possible. Now I live in Arizona close to my husband’s family and all of our 5 kids live close and we spend as much time together as possible. My side of the family live in Tennessee close to Nashville and it sure is hard not being near them. Thank you for sharing about the community in Appalachia such a blessing! ❤

[@MsKindaSorta]

I miss home. Home wasn’t where my parents were but where my original home was near my grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and great grandparents who lived within a quarter mile stretch of dirt road from each other. If it were my choice when my parents moved “off” at 4 yrs old I would have never left that dirt road. When other kids went on trips and camps during summer break I chose to go that 400 miles back to “home” on the dirt road. I continued that practice even throughout college. Friends were going crazy at spring break on a beach somewhere and I drove 8 hours home to Mammaw’s. Spending my childhood breaks from school in my grandparent’s and great grand’s gardens, the woods, the creek chasing crawdads, fishing and going to swim in the river was what defined me as a young girl. Most everyone is gone. The dirt road has recently been paved. I’ll inherit land on the dirt road but it will never be what it was because my people are gone. So with that unsolicited story of me, I just want to tell you how much your channel brings back memories of the best part of my life. Thank you for sharing your life with the world. It means a lot. ❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Bless you! Thank you for sharing part of your story with us. I’m so glad we remind you of those precious memories.

[@trevawilson5086]

After l married l lived next door to my parents. I wouldn't take anything for that time. They are both gone now. They helped me so much . Family is everything!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love that!

[@maymay222ify]

One of the happiest memories I have is living next door to my mama❤ I could go over to sit on the porch and drink coffee with her every evening. Out of three sons, I have two living on different states.. I am struggling so much with my little family being spread apart..❤😢

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

I know that is hard. I will be praying for you!!

[@maymay222ify]

@@CelebratingAppalachia 💜🙏🏻thank you friend!

[@littlebird585]

We went to my aunts every weekend. She was my moms oldest sister. We would go Friday night and just enjoy time. We played, and worked, went to church Sunday morning then home to a big Sunday dinner. Everyone took naps in the afternoon. Then it was time to go home for the school and work week. We lived about16 miles away. 😃

[@teresaburleson7226]

There's so much of your conversation I can relate to. I have a funny story about my husband's aunt's family moving to California in 1950s. You're were telling about Granny's sayings when you were leaving. Aunt Pearl was born and raised in The Appalachias, so when they moved to California, she said they would have friends over to visit and when the friends were leaving, she would say "Y'all come back", when they would get some distance down the walk, and the friends would turn and come back to ask what she wanted 😅😂❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😀 Love that!

[@margueritehebert5389]

As my daddy would say “That’s some good people right there “ after he met people like you all. Love y’all family closeness.

[@dawnaw1434]

I think it's great that y'all are so close to your family. When I was around 7 yrs. old my family moved close to my Gram and Gramps (my dad's parents). We lived 10 minutes away and would visit them nearly every weekend. We would watch "Lawrence Welk" as well as "Hee Haw." I loved goin over there and swingin on their porch swing, having barbecues and playin in the backyard. My Gramps has been gone 40 years and my Gram has been gone 28 years. I sure do miss them.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love those memories!!

[@dawnaw1434]

@@CelebratingAppalachia Thanks Tipper!

[@grammyb5216]

My kid SS and I were a family with my parents. It was such a wonderful blessing. I’m so thankful for every moment we spent together with them. It’s so special to have a close family. ♥️💗

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

So wonderful!

[@jsmith317]

Unless I was snowed in, when I was in college, I'd drive the 6 or 7 hours home every weekend. I missed them so much.

[@kennethboydsr3966]

That’s the way my wife’s family was the whole family lived up in the same mountains in a place called sheeps creek next to the peaks of otter.

[@OneSassyPhotographer]

One saying I always heard growing up and even use myself is, 'Might as well come and go home with me/us'. Another one is when welcoming someone into the home you say, 'Pull up a chair and sit down beside it'. I had a friend out west say, ' Why would I sit down beside it?'. I had a hard time explaining that one!

[@ralphstamm4456]

I would love to sit around a campfire sharing stories

[@swoodhaus]

Such a heartfelt conversation. I look forward to your videos as they are natural, genuine, calming, uplifting, revealing, sincere and so much more. They take me to a good place. Thank you both for sharing!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

So glad you enjoy them Sonja!!

[@biancacox8630]

I sooo agree!! I’d rather watch Tipper and fam any day over other choices on u-tube…so genuine and loving and down to earth❤️😊

[@sarachesterfield9028]

I remember reading something once that stated that "we are our memories". We're living in the present but in the blink of an eye that present becomes the past. So all of our sweet, sweet memories make us who we are and our wonderful loved ones shaped us. I love that idea and Tipper, you are able to put a lot of my thoughts into words. I would so love to be able to talk with you face to face. My family on my Granny's side were Chastains from your neck of the woods. I don't physically live there anymore but my heart never left. Bless you and your family.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Sara!!

[@stanleygallman7800]

Ladies I couldn't agree more! Family is everything and very good family connections, interactions and interest are all the better ☺️. Your sharing the experience of life in Appalachia has been wonderful to learn about.

[@adean3587]

My parents moved from Appalachia to Indiana in the late 40’s for work but we always went back Home to the mountains for vacations down on Elk River. It was always known as back home.

[@lswest1569]

Congratulations on your first year! Wishing you many many more years together.

[@lisapop5219]

The stories part made me smile. Years ago, we were stationed in CA. I was driving carpool and my friend Lisa's boys would beg me to tell a story. My kids heard some of them and low key thought it was embarrassing. The boys loved them. I had that with several other friend's kids at different places we were stationed. I wasn't making up stories like fiction. I just had a real life story for most situations that they could relate to or a story that they didn't know anything about and I guess I told in an engaging way. I have stayed in touch with some of them over the years. Several babies lol. We lost the eldest of the original boys late last year to his demons. He was 28. We just found out a few weeks ago that one of different set is pregnant with her & her husband's first. Time to get the crochet hooks going again lol

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love that you shared the stories! So sorry the oldest one lost his battle.